Volunteer Firemen Apparently Resign Rather Than Shave
Three volunteer firefighters have apparently quit their jobs rather than shave off their beards as ordered by the San Bernardino County Fire Agency.
The three volunteer firefighters had until the close of business Thursday to shed their whiskers or resign, Deputy Chief Mel Enslow said.
“They never showed up and didn’t turn in their gear. We are beginning termination procedures,” he said Friday.
Assistant Chief Dan Schuler issued the ultimatum Aug. 16 to Ric Holderbaum, David Dickinson and the Rev. Terry O’Casey, all members of the Forest Falls Fire Department’s search-and-rescue team 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
Schuler said the beards are safety hazards because they prevent proper sealing of pressurized breathing air tanks, which firefighters are required to wear during fires so they do not inhale toxic fumes.
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