Increasing public respect: an idea

[karaya]

Uniforms are magnets for photographers.

You dangling some bait in front of me?

 

[Aidey]

Uniforms are magnets for photographers.

That may have been our chief's goal. We were a mostly volunteer service and he was always recruiting.

 

[Summit]

It is one of those ludicrous things I could never stand. Attending an EMS conference with those in attendance wearing a uniform. It is not like that no one would not assume that anyone would not know they were in EMS if they were in attendance.

Ironically, I have attended numerous medical conventions and have yet found nurses or physician in scrubs/ lab coats attire to ensure everyone recognizes that they are part of the group.

Being proud is one thing, but being tacky is another. Lack of professionalism is just one of the many things we lack in.

R/r 911

I worked for an agency that would pay to send you to a conference, but only if you were in uniform "to show the agency flag."

 

[JonTullos]

Airbrushed t-shirts are a huge pet peeve of mine. I think it's extremely tacky. If I offend, I'm sorry... but I think wearing these shirts while on duty is unprofessional.

 

[karaya]

Airbrushed t-shirts are a huge pet peeve of mine. I think it's extremely tacky. If I offend, I'm sorry... but I think wearing these shirts while on duty is unprofessional.

I don't think the discussion suggested anyone was wearing these on duty. Just wearing them anytime, period!

 

[trevor1189]

Airbrushed t-shirts are a huge pet peeve of mine. I think it's extremely tacky. If I offend, I'm sorry... but I think wearing these shirts while on duty is unprofessional.

What's wrong with airbrushed t-shirts?

 

[AJ Hidell]

I worked for an agency that would pay to send you to a conference, but only if you were in uniform "to show the agency flag."

LOL! I'd rather spend my own $100 bucks than face the giggles, stares and ridicule that are given to the people who go to those things in uniform! My dignity is worth more than that. Thanks, Chief, but no thanks!

 

[Aidey]

Some of us don't have that luxury. In between state licensing fees, my MICP refresher class, ACLS, PALS, BTLS, the 3 regional EMS conferences I went to, and a couple of NFA classes offered in my city, I'm guessing the bill for all my classes was about $1200 to $1400 over 2 years. I would rather get laughed at than pay for all of that myself.

 

[karaya]

Don't sweat the comments. I think for the most part the uniform comments lack any validity. Like I posted earlier, last year I attended four conferences and I didn't see or hear people laughing, snickering or pointing at others in uniform. There were numerous uniformed people in presence including fire and EMS services with their equipment on display. All seemed to fit in very well.

Now the husband and wife teams with brand new matching EMS jackets, blue jean pants and holding hands. Well, that's a different story.

I'll be at EMS Today in March. I'll see if I can spot some to share here.

 

[Shishkabob]

It is not like that no one would not assume that anyone would not know they were in EMS if they were in attendance.

The hell did you just say?


Quadruple negatives?!

Honestly, anything beyond "EMT/EMS/Paramedic" is not needed and just feeds the eccentric egos that already need no more feeding.

 

[Ridryder911]

Don't sweat the comments. I think for the most part the uniform comments lack any validity. Like I posted earlier, last year I attended four conferences and I didn't see or hear people laughing, snickering or pointing at others in uniform. There were numerous uniformed people in presence including fire and EMS services with their equipment on display. All seemed to fit in very well.

Now the husband and wife teams with brand new matching EMS jackets, blue jean pants and holding hands. Well, that's a different story.

Nawww... We just make this sh*t up. Just google a little and you will find tons of pic's of local conventions. Usually, it is not the local whackers that will attend and pay several hundreds of dollars + travel fee to a national convention. Usually, it is the professional ones that have either paid services or similar arrangements that can attend such events.

R/r 911

 

[Kookaburra]

What's wrong with airbrushed t-shirts?

At least it doesn't say, "Emergency Medical Service's".

Whenever I see that, I always want to say, "Emergency Medical Service's what? Your ambulance? Your jump kit? What?"

Because that's what gets me more than airbrushing: misused apostrophes. That's what I really have a problem with, EMS providers walking around with egregious misuse of spelling and grammar on their shirts.

 

[karaya]

Nawww... We just make this sh*t up. Just google a little and you will find tons of pic's of local conventions. Usually, it is not the local whackers that will attend and pay several hundreds of dollars + travel fee to a national convention. Usually, it is the professional ones that have either paid services or similar arrangements that can attend such events.
R/r 911

Okay, it's a convention with some people in uniform and some not. Just what is your point?

 

[AJ Hidell]

I have been to a LOT of nursing, respiratory therapy, and medical (real medicine, not EMS) conferences over the last three decades. Not once have I ever seen anyone show up in scrubs or a lab coat. Been to quite a few law enforcement conferences too. Not once have I seen anyone show up in uniform.

The original observation in this thread was spot-on. It's a whacker culture that simply does not exist in other professions. A clear sign that EMS is not yet a profession.

 

[Kookaburra]

Actually, my original point wasn't so much wearing EMS duds everywhere, but wearing poorly edited EMS duds everywhere.

 

[benkfd]

What?!?!?!

I have been to a LOT of nursing, respiratory therapy, and medical (real medicine, not EMS) conferences over the last three decades. Not once have I ever seen anyone show up in scrubs or a lab coat. Been to quite a few law enforcement conferences too. Not once have I seen anyone show up in uniform.

The original observation in this thread was spot-on. It's a whacker culture that simply does not exist in other professions. A clear sign that EMS is not yet a profession.

SINCE WHEN IS EMS NOT REAL MEDICINE!?!?!?! Last I checked Medics can administer medication, intubate pt.'s, I could think of others but I'm not going to let myself go there.

 

[rmellish]

SINCE WHEN IS EMS NOT REAL MEDICINE!?!?!?! Last I checked Medics can administer medication, intubate pt.'s, I could think of others but I'm not going to let myself go there.

Apparently you're new here. Welcome.

The discussion was about a lack of professionalism in EMS, especially when compared to other medical providers.

 

[karaya]

I have been to a LOT of nursing, respiratory therapy, and medical (real medicine, not EMS) conferences over the last three decades. Not once have I ever seen anyone show up in scrubs or a lab coat. Been to quite a few law enforcement conferences too. Not once have I seen anyone show up in uniform.

I couldn't debate you on this. I've never attended any of the conferences that you have described above; therefore, I will have to plead ignorance.

However, the posts referenced uniforms at an EMS conference and it was suggested that people who attend such conference in uniform would be subject to ridicule, etc. This sounds more a conclusion from your personal view and Rid's as well. I just shared my experience in the last year at four major conferences and not once did I witness these accusations. Nor did I hear any guffaws or comments from any of my associates.

 

[trevor1189]

I don't really have a problem with EMT, MEDIC, PARAMEDIC, etc printed on shirts. I am just generally against the stupid sayings on tshirts in general.

 

[benkfd]

Ok! I guess I won't be so offended about it then. Please excuse my newness to this. All's good