The Firefighter Handlebar Mustache: A Legacy Worth Twirling

There’s something about a firefighter mustache that just belongs in the fire service. Maybe it’s the confidence. Maybe it’s the history. Or maybe it’s just that firefighters have always known how to make practical look cool.

For more than a century, the handlebar mustache has been a proud part of firefighter culture — a symbol of tradition, pride, and brotherhood passed down through generations. And now, we’re keeping that legacy alive in a new way.

Introducing the Fire Authority Best Handlebar Mustache Contest 

It’s time to honor the tradition, celebrate the look, and find out which firefighter mustache stands above the rest.

Before we get into how to enter, let’s take a look at how this iconic facial hair became one of the most recognizable symbols in the fire service.

When Mustaches Were Part of the Gear 

Before modern firefighting equipment, before SCBAs and advanced protective gear, firefighters relied on courage, quick thinking, and a damp mustache.

In the 1800s and early 1900s, firefighters grew thick mustaches for practical reasons. It was believed that a wet mustache could act as a makeshift filter against smoke and ash. Firefighters would literally soak their mustaches before entering burning buildings, hoping it would trap debris and make breathing a little easier. 

Did it work? Not really. But it showed the same kind of creativity and grit that still defines firefighters today. Back then, the firefighter handlebar mustache wasn’t just a style choice, it was part of the job.

From Makeshift Filter to Symbol of Brotherhood

As technology improved and the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) became standard, the mustache’s practical use faded. But its meaning didn’t.

The mustache evolved into a symbol of firefighter brotherhood and pride; a visual reminder of the generations who came before. Growing a mustache became a way to show respect for the past and pride in the profession.

Even now, a strong handlebar mustache is a statement: I’m part of something bigger. It connects firefighters through time with a look that says, “We’re in this together.”

Firefighter Mustaches and Modern Safety 

These days, fire department grooming standards make sure style never compromises safety. Both NFPA and OSHA regulations require that nothing interferes with the SCBA facepiece seal.

That means big beards are out, but a well-groomed firefighter mustache is fair game as long as it stays clear of the mask’s sealing surface. Departments often have their own rules about mustache length and shape to make sure everyone can still get a perfect seal.

So while today’s mustaches might be cleaner and more controlled than those wild 19th-century versions, they’re still a proud link to the fire service’s roots.

The Fire Authority Best Handlebar Mustache Contest

To celebrate this enduring fire service tradition, Fire Authority, your #1 source for top-tier firefighter tools and apparel, is proud to launch the Best Handlebar Mustache Contest — a nationwide search for the finest mustaches in the fire service.

This is your chance to show off your facial hair, your department pride, and your connection to firefighter history. Whether you’ve got a perfectly curled handlebar or a rugged old-school classic, we want to see it.

Nominate yourself or a fellow firefighter whose mustache deserves the spotlight. We’re looking for the best combination of style, grooming, and fire service spirit.

Contest Timeline

Nominations are open now! Submit your mustache through the official contest page and tell us your story — or the story behind a legendary mustache in your department.

Once nominations are in, the public will vote for their favorites. Rally your crew, your family, and your friends to help crown your department’s finest.

The top mustaches move on to the final round, where one firefighter will earn the title of Best Handlebar Mustache in the Fire Service.

Not ready to compete? No problem — follow along, cast your vote, and join us in celebrating the firefighter handlebar mustache tradition that connects departments across the country.

Because this contest isn’t just about facial hair — it’s about the pride, history, and community that define every firefighter.

We can’t wait to see the incredible mustaches from stations across the nation. Let’s celebrate the pride, tradition, and character of the fire service — one mustache at a time.

Enter or learn more at: https://fireauthority.com/contests/mustache/