North Hudson firefighters have been told they can't be seen in public wearing the pink T-shirts they purchased for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, according to The Jersey Journal.
Union President Tom Calucci says they received permission from North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue officials before they were purchased, but that they are now being told that they can only be worn inside firehouses, or under their fire coats or department-issued T-shirts while in public.
"Practice has been for fire alarms and accidents that your fire coat is required, no one is arguing that," Calucci told the newspaper. "However, after you walk out of a burning building or extinguish a fire, it is not uncommon to take the jacket off, and that has never been a problem."
He said they have been told if a firefighter takes off the jacket to reveal a pink shirt, there will be disciplinary action.
Department Co-Director Jeff Welz -- who is a colon cancer survivor -- said the department is just trying to maintain a professional image.
"We want to have a uniform so people know they they're really firefighters and they look professional," he said. "They can wear the pink T-shirt in headquarters, but not in public."
Calucci argues that the pink T-shirts wouldn't tarnish the department's integrity and pointed out that they are made of the same material as the department's shirts.
So far, firefighters have raised $2,500 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
