brothers loking for any info you can give me on the wearing of shorts as part your station wear. making a pitch to my chief to wear them. also on whatever footwear and socks are part of them. i am from new jersey. thanks brothers
Permalink Reply by John on April 21, 2009 at 12:12pm
I would wonder why?? wearing shorts on EMS calls would be crazy, which is what most of the fire service does is to respond to EMS calls. Even if I was allowed to wear shorts I wouldn't, just for the pure safety factor in wearing them around the possiblity of being exposed to bodily fluids.
I worked in a desert region of southern california, and in the summer we were "allowed" to wear shorts as part of our uniform, however when we went on ANY calls....EMS included we had to put brush pants (at a minimum) over them. I agree with you John about being a safety issue for bodily fluids, but also, we had a guy wearing shorts on a call, put his knee down on HOT asphalt and was burned...therefore the new policy to put brush pants over them.
I agree with you Jake. If your dept is in a desert region then yes shorts would be a need for around the station activities but while on calls at least brush pants should be worn. For other regions when the temp is that bad, shorts are just useless before bedtime.
i agree about the problem with ems runs. we would wear bunker pants. we are on the east coast. summers can get the triple hhh's. it would be optional for eveyone. i underrstand they are comfortable under your gear. hope to hear more info to get a broad sense of idea's. thank you