Firefighters Sue D.C. Fire EMS over Clean-Shaven Policy

    July 9, 2025
    The 17 firefighters claim the nation's capital fire department doesn't take into account medical issues or religious beliefs.

    More than a dozen firefighters are suing the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Service Department over its clean-shaven policy.

    The 17 career firefighters said the policy doesn’t take into account individuals with medical or religious reasons for not shaving, D.C. News Now reported. 

    Following a previous suit, the department changed its policy to allow some facial hair.

    But, the firefighters who filed the most recent suit say the 2021 change wasn't enough to satisfy religious beliefs or whose medical condition was so severe that they could not shave as closely.

    Durell Herman has served as a firefighter for nearly two decades and suffered from pseudofolliculitis (PFB)  claims he was "devastated" after being sidelined for his medical condition.

    “It felt like DCFEMS was forcing me to choose between my career or my health. This isn’t just a career for me, it’s my calling.”

    Other firefighters claim in the suit they were reassigned to EMS-only status or other jobs because they practice Orthodox Judaism or Islam, which facial hair carries religious significance.

     

     

    About the Author

    Susan Nicol | News Editor

    Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues. 

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