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.
