June 15, 2020
OMAHA, NE – The North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD) has named the Yocha Dehe Fire Department one of the nation’s best dressed. The California agency is one of five winners in NAUMD’s Best Dressed Public Safety Award® Competition, an annual program that recognizes the important role uniforms play in law enforcement and public safety work. The awards honor both the departments and suppliers of the uniform program. Galls supplied the winning look.
The Yocha Dehe Fire Department utilizes 9 types of uniforms. The everyday Class B consists of a black collared dress shirt with pockets and applets, black dress trouser pants, a cotton black t-shirt, and a black custom hat. There is a custom badge that is placed on the uniform, with custom patches on both sleeves. Uniform garments are colored in black, a shade that has added significance to this tribal department as it signifies power, pride and professionalism, all important elements to the community it serves.
The Best Dressed Public Safety Award® Competition emphasizes the high value of professional, neat, well-fitted and immediately identifiable uniforms in the vitally important role of public safety and law enforcement. The award showcases the dedication of the industry’s uniform professionals to designing and manufacturing the most comfortable, safe and versatile set of apparel possible required to meet the exacting standards of today’s law enforcement professionals.
“If an officer is well dressed and feels good, he or she will project a positive image to the community,” noted NAUMD President Steve Zalkin.
The Yocha Dehe FD earned the best dressed nod for departments with less than 100 members. Others topping the list are the Sarasota County FD, Best Dressed Department with more than 500 members; Columbus, OH, Police Department, Best Dressed Law Enforcement – Over 500 Members; Cumberland County, NC, Sheriff’s Office, Best Dressed Law Enforcement, 100 – 500 Members; and Barre, MA, Police Department, Best Dressed Law Enforcement – Under 100 Members:
The Best Dressed Public Safety Award® Competition is open to all public safety departments across North America. Participants must submit a completed entry form, as well as photographs depicting the various uniforms in their program. An independent panel of experts reviews each department’s professional appearance and uniform specifications to determine whether the uniform is appropriate for the type of work being performed. All winning departments and their suppliers receive award plaques. An awards dinner scheduled to honor this year’s recipients has been canceled due to the current health crisis.
“This year, it is more important than ever to recognize these brave first responders who are on the front lines fighting the Covid pandemic” noted Zalkin. “The NAUMD is proud to honor this year’s winners and all in law enforcement who serve their communities.”
About NAUMD
The North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers & Distributors (NAUMD) has served as the voice of the uniform and image apparel industries since 1933. Its 500+ members include manufacturers, designers, producers, and retailers of uniforms, as well as those who produce products and services for the industry at large.
The NAUMD works to protect the interests of its members through a series of advocacy, education, and public relations campaigns intended to arm them with the tools needed to retain and capture business in a global economy. The association has authored a number of position papers and has an extensive library of information from which members can further their understanding of the uniform marketplace. NAUMD also hosts an annual convention and trade show where attendees can source products, learn about trends, and gain practical, take-home knowledge to better run their business.