Boiler Plate Rules
“BOILER PLATE” PARADE RULES
GENERAL:
Failure to adhere to the rules and regulations will result in the disqualification or the receiving of demerits as appropriate and defined. Demerits will be used to determine trophy winners.
The [insert name of judging association] will judge apparatus, fire departments, auxiliaries, color guards and musical units. Judging will be governed by the general and specific rules and regulations published for this event. THE DECISION OF THE JUDGES IS FINAL.
To be eligible for trophy competition a fire department unit must consist of the following: Color Guard (does not have to be firefighters), an officer followed by a minimum of number marching members.
A color guard must consist of three (3) or more persons with the American Flag in its proper position and appropriately guarded. The flag may be guarded with or without arms or firematic tools. The use of arms or firematic tools must be uniform.
A firematic color guard may be dressed in a uniform differing from the body. However, the uniforms must match and include head gear and gloves. Members will be included in the total of members in the line of march.
A non firematic color guard must be dressed in matching uniforms; their number WILL NOT be counted as members in the line of march.
Active members of the military may march in their respective uniforms without penalty.
The lack of a proper color guard will automatically disqualify the fire department from trophy competition.
The American Flag shall be unfurled at all times and shall not be dipped in salute.
In the event of an alarm or other emergency while the parade is in progress, all units will move to the right side of the road upon the approach of any emergency vehicle.
FIREFIGHTERS' RULES:
To be counted in the line of march all members must wear the same matching uniforms including shoes, socks, gloves and ties. The use of gloves and/or ties is optional. See general rules for color guard exceptions. Members acting as fire police may also be counted. The chief or OIC must inform the parade committee of the number prior to the start of the parade.
There will be no demerits for long or facial hair. However, all participants are expected to be clean and neatly groomed.
When a company or department banner is used it must be carried by company or department members.
A unit with forty (40) or less in line behind the officer may march either (2) or three (3) abreast. Units with forty one (41) and over MUST march three (3) or four (4) abreast. Single file, regardless of number, IS NOT permitted.
Any company wishing to use a drill sergeant may do so. This person will be counted in the line of march and judged for marching ability. Upon passing the reviewing stand the drill sergeant must march abreast of the lead or last rank, be on the reviewing stand side and render a salute.
The officer in charge must render a salute at the reviewing stand.
Any unit acting in a manner to discredit the volunteer fire service as a whole shall be subject to disqualification at the discretion of the judges or host.
Members riding in vehicles must be in full uniform and wear safety devices.
The sounding of sirens and/or air horns or the ringing of bells or any other noise in the line of march will result in the disqualification of the offending unit.
The use of flashing lights is required / is not permitted (strike one) in the line of march.
No more than two (2) firefighters shall ride on an apparatus: driver and passenger next to driver. Both must wear safety devices.
No more than [number] cars permitted per unit.
Apparatus will be judged at insert location between insert times. First come, first judged. Any units arriving after [insert time] will not be judged.
All apparatus must be company or department owned and in service to be judged for competition. Blue lights or lenses on fire apparatus will/will not (strike one) be grounds for disqualification.
Each company or department is limited to number fire apparatus. Chief’s vehicle(s) will not be counted as apparatus.
AUXILIARY RULES:
The officer in charge must salute the reviewing stand.
No demerits given for the lack of color guard or banner. If a color guard is used it will be subject to judging as stated in the general rules.
A minimum of number members marching is required to qualify for a trophy.
All other rules and regulations will be the same as defined in the FIREFIGHTER section.
PARADE FORMATION
Each division shall march at a distance of 50 feet from the grand marshal or the preceding division.
Units shall follow each other at a distance of approximately 50 feet.
Formation of units shall be as follows:
fire company or department formation
music
20 feet
color guard
10 feet - banner (or chief IF no banner in use)
10 feet - chief
10 feet - clergy
10 feet - asst. chief(s)
10 feet - past chief(s)
10 feet - company officer
firefighters
auxiliary formation
10 feet following firefighters
color guard (if any)
banner (if any)
10 feet - officer in charge
10 feet - marching members
vehicle formation
20 feet for all vehicles
riding members
riding auxiliary members
Chief(s) vehicle(s)
in service apparatus
antique apparatus (if any)
PARADE DEMERITS
GENERAL
5 DEMERITS
WRONG PLACE IN LINE
IMPEDING FORWARD PROGRESS
OFFICER NOT SALUTING REVIEWING STAND
INCORRECT FORMATION
NON FIREMATIC EQUIPMENT VISIBLE ON APPARATUS (WATER CONTAINERS PERMITTED)
3 DEMERITS
DRILL SERGEANT OUT OF POSITION
FAILURE OF DRILL SERGEANT TO SALUTE REVIEWING STAND
INCORRECT FORMATION
EXCESSIVE SPACING
EXCESSIVE MEMBERS ON APPARATUS
1 DEMERIT (EACH OCCURRENCE)
NOT DRESSED
NOT COVERED
OUT OF STEP
TALKING, WAVING, SMOKING, CHEWING, SPITTING, LAUGHING, BREAKING RANKS
UNKEMPT HAIR OR FACIAL HAIR
NON UNIFORM USE OF SHOES OR SOCKS
NON UNIFORM USE OF GLOVES
NON UNIFORM USE OF BUTTONS, BADGES, TIES, FLAGS OR PATCHES ON UNIFORMS
NON-PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES
NON PRECISION MOVEMENT, POOR CARRIAGE OF BODY
POOR ALIGNMENT OF HAT, COCKED AT ANGLES
EXCESSIVE JEWELRY
UNKEMPT, SOILED OR MIXED UNIFORMS
OPEN BUTTONS
VISIBLE CELLULAR PHONES, PAGERS, ETC
COLOR GUARD
DISQUALIFICATION
AMERICAN FLAG DIPPED IN SALUTE OR DISHONORED
5 DEMERITS
AMERICAN FLAG OUT OF PLACE
AMERICAN FLAG NOT PROPERLY GUARDED
AMERICAN FLAG NOT UNFURLED OR AT INCORRECT ANGLE
AMERICAN FLAG SOILED OR TORN
3 DEMERITS
FINIALS NOT FACING FRONT
FINIALS NOT UNIFORM
UNIFORMS NOT NEAT/CLEAN/MATCHING
HAND POSITION OR MOTION NOT UNIFORM
RIFLES, AXES, ETC. NOT ON SAME SHOULDER
2 DEMERITS (EACH OCCURRENCE)
OUT OF STEP
NOT COVERED/DRESSED
NON-UNIFORM SOCKS, SHOES, HATS, GLOVES OR PATCHES
1 DEMERIT (EACH OCCURRENCE)
TALKING
SMOKING
SPITTING
LAUGHING
WAVING
CHEWING GUM
NON-PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES
VISIBLE CELLULAR PHONES, PAGERS, ETC.
APPARATUS (STATIC)
DISQUALIFICATION
OPERATOR NOT PRODUCING DRIVER’S LICENSE
MISSING OR EXPIRED INSURANCE CARD
10 DEMERITS
Dirty or improperly displayed turnout gear
DIRTY OR in need of repair ladders or lanyards
S.C.B.A. Missing, defective, outdated
Dirty or messy hose beds/hose lays/suction
5 DEMERITS
Wheels not chocked (rectify before continuing)
Dirty Glass or Windshield
Dirty or Scuffed Tires
Cab interior dirty, not neat, seat belts not working
Dirty, chipped or improperly painted tools
Lights not working
Extinguishers missing or outdated
Cleanliness of apparatus, running boards, bumpers, chipped paint
Dirty or unorganized cabinets/compartments
Dirty wheel wells or undercarriage
Dirty Engine Compartment
Dirty/battery and or battery compartment
APPARATUS (MOVING)
10 DEMERITS
Dirty Glass or Windshield
Dirty or Scuffed Tires
Dirty wheel wells or undercarriage
Dirty or improperly displayed turnout gear
Lights not according to rules
Dirty or messy hose beds/hose lays/suction
Cleanliness of apparatus, running boards, bumpers, chipped paint
Sounding of siren or air horns
5 DEMERITS
Driver out of uniform (such as can be seen)
Dirty, chipped or improperly painted tools
Apparatus not centered in roadway
Excessive or improper riders