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Station Wear
Some will call this thread frivolous; I don't care.
Can anyone tell me why most station wear in the United States is Navy Blue? In much of the rest of the world Station wear is a more visible; in Korea and Japan station wear is blaze orange.
Can anyone tell me why most station wear in the United States is Navy Blue? In much of the rest of the world Station wear is a more visible; in Korea and Japan station wear is blaze orange.
In Kuwait, the Contract Firefighters wear Khaki pants or shorts, but the shirts are still navy blue.
Wouldn't it make more sense for us to wear something more visible than Navy Blue; maybe not Blaze Orange, but something.
So, a little history lesson would be appreciated....how did we end up with Navy Blue Station uniforms, when in the really old days, Fire Men wore red shirts?
Greenman
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Patti Walz on
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Fashionista's probably.
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Permalink Reply by FF Nick on
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I don't have the answer but if I had to guess, my thoughts would be possible stemming from the "paramilitary" organization of the fire service. (Though the USCG is the only one that wears navy blue for duty dress) Perhaps the bigger departments prefered this color over khaki and everyone else just followed suit?
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
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My synopsis:
In the 1800's most fire departments were volunteers and worked for insurance companies. Their equipment color (a HUGE source of concern here on FFN) and uniforms were colored to identify which insurance company they worked for.
In the 1800's (as far as I've been able to determine) there was both a sense of pride in belonging to a volunteer fire company and a high degree of pompousness (will it never end?) and so most fire companies wore fancy parade uniforms.
At the beginning of the Civil War, Lincoln called for volunteers and, in most cases volunteer firefighters were the first in line. The New York Fire Zouaves (a volunteer company in NYC) were specifically requested because of their military bearing and drills as well as how professional they looked.
By the end of the war most of the Union armies were wearing blue and I suspect that, given their nature as it was to wear uniforms, they simply incorporated the military blue uniform into their fire department uniform.
As departments went to full time career departments, uniforms were required as a means of identification, for firefighter from civilian as well as to determine rank. And since firefighters (while poorly paid) were seen as authority figures, uniforms (especially those that mirrored police) further contributed to their authority. (Uniforms per se tends to evoke an impression of both authority and professionalism, even with station uniforms.)
From there it's not hard to imagine how it evolved into the more common station wear seen today. Now I can only supply links with regard to the Fire Zouaves but, when you read about the early history of volunteer firefighting companies, I don't believe it's any stretch to come to the conclusions I've come to.
http://www.afirepro.com/history.html
http://www.myrtle-avenue.com/firezou/
http://firehistory.weebly.com/fires-firemen-and-fire-companies-in-t...
Since the discussion pertains to firefighting history, as such I don't particularly see it as a waste of time. Like pike poles, there's almost always an historical reason why we have or do something in the fire service. I hope this helps.
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Permalink Reply by Greenman on
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Thanks, Jack.
I think your conclusions make sense. Perhaps the blue even comes from the original Civil War Veterans wearing their old Army uniforms immediately following the and fire companies simply continuing that color for uniformity's sake.
Greenman
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The only time we wear the Blue Uniform Shirt w/ Badge is for meals out and "official appearances" like luncheons, ceremonies, School and nursing home visits, etc.
The rest of the time it's a navy T-shirt and Navy Blue BDU or similar (from Dickies to 5.11) station pants. In any case very dark colors, even if you're not on the highway (ANSI Class 3 Vest required there), you can still get hit by a car in a residential neighborhood.
If I had my druthers, I would go with Khaki pants (ala 5.11) and either a lighter shade of blue or a foliage Green (like the Army's Flame Resistant Undershirt) with reflective Silk Screening or the FR printing like Derm-Gard uses.
As for not liking to be seen in Orange...it's a work uniform, why doe sit matter? At least with an Orange Uniform, less people would be tempted to wear it to the local pub on off days!
Greenman
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Gm,
I would agree. Most likely, upon returning and being proud of their military service, probably not having a lot of money and that so many of the vollies were in the army, it would make sense that they might have just carried their military uniform over into their fire department.
Change the buttons, a new patch or braiding and voila, a new uniform at little or no expense.
You can trace the history of PPE but there's virtually nothing I could find (other than what I included and concluded) on why our uniforms today are blue (dress and station).
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Permalink Reply by Jeff Cole on
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In the 60's and early into the '70's Gray uniforms were popular. Many argued that the blue uniforms looked more like a mechanic's uniform. As for the bright orange (prison)jumpsuits, they do stand out! Though we are suppossed to be in our PPE when training or during fire operations. Newer outwear cold weather jackets now have refelctive striping (some call it Wawa jackets!)which helps on EMS and other service calls that PPE is not required.
I don't think the bling is very practical, at least for the companies and BC's. The badges, name tags, insignias are more of a problem. Sewn-on identification makes more sense anyways.
I require class 'B' uniforms (uniform pants, and uniform short, either nomex or fire wear)to be maintained in good condition to be maintained at all times in the locker if a special event is assigned, but for normal shift duty depending on the season a long or short sleeve polo type shirt with logo and identification is allowed, as are uniform shorts in the hot weather.
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Permalink Reply by Rachel on
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The color Blue in the American Flag represents: Vigilance, Perserverance, Justice, truth, and loyalty.
Maybe they are all blue because those wearing them represent America?
Maybe because those that wear the uniform are there to follow all of those listed(Vigilance, Perserverance, Justice, truth, and loyalty). Maybe those that chose the color did not like Red or White?
Just my ideas. BTW, the career firefighters/emts in my county wear navy blue shirts and pants(in the summer they may wear shorts) while on duty,unless they have official business, such as(not limited to) "visitors" coming to the station or them going to present to schools.
The writing on the shirt tells which position the personnel holds. Yellow is Lt., and White may be either firefighter or Engineer.
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