In the early days of North American fire departments, orders were given to the troops by officers through the use of a large brass device called a “Bugle” or speaking trumpet. Many Fire Departments, including CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department, use the "bugle" insignia to denote rank. The insignia can be found on the uniform shirt collar and on the front of the structure helmet.

Firefighter I or II- No insignia on the uniform, a "scramble" on the helmet front.

Fire Apparatus Engineer - Single silver bugle

Fire Captain - Double silver bugles

Battalion Chief -Two crossed gold bugles

Division Chief - Three crossed gold bugles

Deputy Chief - Four crossed gold bugles

Fire Chief - Five crossed gold bugles

Helmet Color

CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department utilizes a color-and-marking system so that the rank of firefighters can be identified by their helmets.

White - Chief Officer

Red - Fire Captain

Yellow with red stripes - Engineer

Yellow with black stripes - Firefighter

Paramedic firefighter helmets are marked with a rocker indicating "paramedic"

The firefighter's names will be on the back of the helmet. The station assignment will be centered on each side of the helmet.