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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 11, 2006 Since You Asked: Wish upon a star, or a fire bugle It appears that most high ranking public safety officials in recent years have adopted military style "star" insignia to designate their rank within their respective service (police, fire) just as is done in the Army and Navy. They all seem to be referred to as "chief" no matter how many stars they wear on their uniforms. What is the origin and history of this practice? What are the proper titles used to distinguish between one-star, two-star, three-star and four-star public safety officers (i.e. military usage of brigadier general, major general, rear admiral, vice admiral, etc.). When and why might we see five stars being used? — Richard G., Medford Don’t expect to see any five-star police chiefs or admirals of the fire department marching around locally, even though police and fire services draw from military tradition to indicate rank, Richard. The Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police developed a voluntary protocol for uniforms several years ago when association members asked for guidelines, Talent Police Chief Bob Rector said. It outlines that police chiefs wear two stars on their collar points and deputy chiefs wear one. Because the guidelines are voluntary, chiefs can adopt different standards for their departments. Some still use collar brass that simply states rank. Advertisement The fire service is deeply steeped in tradition that guides its use of insignia, Medford Fire Department Battalion Chief Ken Goodson said. The Oregon Fire Chiefs Association has adopted voluntary guidelines. Instead of stars, fire departments use bugles, either on the collar or on a badge. The bugle represents the megaphone or speaking horn leaders once used to command firefighters at a fire scene, said Ken Johnson, division chief with Jackson County Fire District No. 3 A lieutenant sports a single bugle, a captain two bugles, a battalion chief two crossed bugles. Additional bugles are arrayed in a circular or star pattern as rank increases. A fire chief wears five bugles crossed in a star pattern. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to Since You Asked: Wish upon a star, or a fire bugle ">[email protected] . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Hammocks Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Email Security Advertisement s Advertisement