Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ben "Batman" Barry on January 31, 2010 at 9:29pm

Since I am a junior I will only speak for my explorer posts. The EMS post I am an officer in barely anyone follows the uniform policy to the "T". I always see shirts untucked, collar brass missing or out of line no belts or belts that are not suitable for on duty use. Professionalism in general is in short supply. Improper language, general rudeness towards superiors and guests, arguing with coworkers, I see it alot and try to correct it. My FD explorers are very professional and always adhear to the uniform policies. Personally I think on calls we should wear dept t shirts and pants on calls, and a dept polo and pants on dept events. Professionalism is a big part of the fire service and people will trust us more if we are professional with them.

Permalink Reply by Lani on January 31, 2010 at 9:35pm

Thanks for your reply Ben! I'm glad I'm not alone in the "fight" to improve professionalism :D I don't necessarily expect the uniform policy to be followed to the "T", however I wonder what the public must think of our organization if one of our "officers" shows up to help make their bad day better in sweat pants and slippers...I, personally, prefer to wear my EMT pants, station boots, appropriate belt, and a district shirt when going on call. You call 911 expecting professionals, professionals should be getting off that truck. Just my opinion :)

Permalink Reply by Kirk D. Baughman on February 1, 2010 at 6:25pm

i'm with a volunteer dept. and the dept. use to sell long sleeve shirts, short sleeve shirts, and this pass year the county said that we can no long buy the shirts that the county must give you two or three a year. our sog's says that in order to responed you must have your county shirt on. as a station officer i like for all my people to wear them when their around the station and when we are on a call. as a station officer i think it's my job to make sure my guys are in their uniform shirts. if i don't do my part as an officer i think i let our sog's down and the dept down.

Permalink Reply by Auxman on February 1, 2010 at 6:31pm

We've got t-shirts and sweatshirts and issue BDU pants and they are worn at training. The calls the volunteers go on are all fires or MVAs so I'm not sure it makes any difference what they have on under their turnouts. But, if we were doing medicals the expectation would be that we'd be wearing the uniform.

Permalink Reply by Lani on February 2, 2010 at 12:18pm

I know we have SOPs stating similar appearance guidelines, however they are very loosely (if even) followed by some of our more senior members. There aren't many, but there are more than there should be IMO...As a new Vol, I don't know if I even have the right to say anything! I just continue to "look the part" and hope it catches on. Thanks for sharing Kirk! And keep up the good work :)

Permalink Reply by Lani on February 2, 2010 at 12:20pm

I can understand that! It doesn't really matter when we have our bunkers on...but we do a lot of medical. Over 80% of our calls are medical, and in my opinion we need to look and act professional...not dressed like we just rolled out of bed (even if we have).

Permalink Reply by Josh Gray on February 3, 2010 at 10:05pm

While I agree that it is a good idea to try and keep some semblance of a professional appearance. The keyword here is volunteer, if we need the help and your coming back from work personally as long as it's not dirty or have anything inappropriate. Then I'd be happy that I have help there whether they have a dept shirt, or the shirt of the company that they work for. Yes whenever it is possible we respond in a least dept shirts. I'd like to be able to go to a uniform for the appearance change it would give to the community. Yet lets be honest this job doesn't pay the bills. So if I'm on my way back from work and we get a run as long as it's not dirty I show up in what I have on. Personally our community is just happy to have us there helping them.

Permalink Reply by Lani on February 4, 2010 at 11:29am

But on the flip side, if you look like you just crawled out from under your tractor and went to a medical call, I don't know that you look very credible. Sorry, volunteer or not you do need credibility to gain the confidence of the pt in order to treat them. To me the "I'm just a volunteer" attitude doesn't fly. Like I said before, and will say again...when someone calls 911 they expect professionals to come make their bad day better...a professional better be stepping off that truck every time.

This has actually been something people have complained to our head District people before...thus the topic of discussion. Thank you for your input Josh!

Permalink Reply by Lani on February 19, 2010 at 1:06pm

You would think that people would be grateful to have the assistance they needed when they needed it...but you would be surprised the amount of complaints that are received on this very topic.

Permalink Reply by Andrew Bayless on February 19, 2010 at 7:25pm

You can not expect a volunteer to hop out of bed and spend 5 minutes deciding what clothes to put on, I want them on road, ready to go and doing their job. You really think that while someone is seriously ill, their relative going to notice that your shirt doesnt match your pants. If someone does say something about it then hand them a application and tell they can wear what ever they want to a call.

Permalink Reply by Lani on February 24, 2010 at 12:22pm

Perhaps that is a good reason why you should have some "on call" clothes next to the bed ready to be jumped into. No reason to spend 5 minutes looking for clothes when you have them ready to go (as I think you should if you plan to be on call). Honestly it's not just limited to "professional" look, but also our safety on scene. How well do you think your slippers will protect you as you walk into an unknown home/driveway/etc. Not as well as appropriate footwear. How well do your sweat pants ward off bodily fluids? Not nearly as well as appropriate EMS pants will. After all our first priority is ALWAYS our safety first.