BossyCow
Forum Deputy Chief
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This is a spin off from another thread. I hear a lot of talk about the slovenly appearance of some of the EMS responders out there. Which made me ponder the question. Who's responsibility is it to set a standard for appearance?
For those who work within an agency, often the agency has a dress code or uniform. But, how many of us, when we see someone on a scene dressed in the ratty, faded T-shirt or Polo will say something? Do we just ignore it on scene and gossip about it to our co-workers back in the station?
I'm not saying that we do dress inspections before allowing people access to an emergency scene, but we can be a bit more vocal with our disapproval. I have used the comments... "Wow, nice of you to dress up for this!" or "Hey, how old is that T-shirt? I think I got kids younger than that!" I had one volunteer show up in what I felt was an inappropriate T-shirt and I made him get a sweatshirt out of the station to cover it up before we left.
So, do you think, by being more active in our standards setting, we can make a difference? Or, do you think that the slovenly are incorrigable and we ought to just send them to "What Not to Wear" for makeovers?
For those who work within an agency, often the agency has a dress code or uniform. But, how many of us, when we see someone on a scene dressed in the ratty, faded T-shirt or Polo will say something? Do we just ignore it on scene and gossip about it to our co-workers back in the station?
I'm not saying that we do dress inspections before allowing people access to an emergency scene, but we can be a bit more vocal with our disapproval. I have used the comments... "Wow, nice of you to dress up for this!" or "Hey, how old is that T-shirt? I think I got kids younger than that!" I had one volunteer show up in what I felt was an inappropriate T-shirt and I made him get a sweatshirt out of the station to cover it up before we left.
So, do you think, by being more active in our standards setting, we can make a difference? Or, do you think that the slovenly are incorrigable and we ought to just send them to "What Not to Wear" for makeovers?