T-shirts

[Ridryder911]

You are grossly out of touch with the realities of volunteer EMS.

Why should a volunteer who already gave countless hours and in some cases, their own dollars towards training, on top of the 20 or so hours a week of duty time, have to go out-of-pocket for a uniform?

I see your point, and I think your heart is in the right place, but are you prepared to cut the check to the tens of thousands of volunteer EMS agencies around the country that cannot afford to issue "proper" uniforms?

No volunteer expects to be compensated, but they don't expect it to cost them money either.

There is a difference between first response as MFR and those that are called in as to be the professionals. If you are going to play the part then one must be the part. As well, then don't criticize the professionals in their opinions of the difference.

How much does a Polo shirt costs? I know we can get one for around $20-40, I will not label all vollies as scanner toting people with l/s but I can assure you they probably have paid more for some toy that they might possess. Again, priorities in some areas.

R/r 911

 

[WolfmanHarris]

The no money in volley EMS excuse doesn't hold water any more then the necessity of it does. It's about priorities. For four years I was on and helped run a volunteer first aid team on my University campus (First Responder trained, non-transport, 24/7 and events). Members are entirely unpaid, including management.

All members of the team where a uniform consisting of navy blue "paramedic" pants, polo shirt screened with team logo on the front and back. Initially the team only wore a t-shirt with whatever clothes they wanted and it was decided that if we wanted to be taken seriously by the University community and by EMS when we interacted with them, we needed to look professional.

You can argue all you want that it won't make a difference to your patients, but you can't argue that a t-shirt looks less professional then a proper uniform. Have some professional pride.

 

[rmellish]

I wish I had a camera these last few shifts. One of the townships we respond to has reached a new level of "cool" Everyone on their local VFD has started cutting the sleeves off of their t-shirts.

 

[Ridryder911]

I wish I had a camera these last few shifts. One of the townships we respond to has reached a new level of "cool" Everyone on their local VFD has started cutting the sleeves off of their t-shirts.

Kinda makes you feel all cool huh? Yep, wearing wife beaters, and maybe a pinch between the cheeks while your at it?


R/r 911

 

[rmellish]

Kinda makes you feel all cool huh? Yep, wearing wife beaters, and maybe a pinch between the cheeks while your at it?


R/r 911

I keep forgetting my sarcasm doesn't translate well in text...we're on the same side here rid.

 

[fortsmithman]

I'm with a volly/paid on call municipal run service. While we all have generic blue t-shirt with the s.o.l. and E.M.S. front and back the last time we wore them in connection with the service was an open house we held last year. For most calls we either wear the issued jumpsuit, or a dark navy uniform shirt with either dark navy or black pants. The pants are either regular pants or cargo, or EMT pants. Or if we're called from our regular place of employment we wear navy nylon EMS jackets similar to police raid jackets with a s.o.l. and EMS on them.

 

[fortsmithman]

I wish I had a camera these last few shifts. One of the townships we respond to has reached a new level of "cool" Everyone on their local VFD has started cutting the sleeves off of their t-shirts.

If any member showed up in wife beaters we would send them home if they didn't have their ems jacket or jumpsuit to wear the shirt would have to be covered up.

 

[medichopeful]

I keep forgetting my sarcasm doesn't translate well in text...we're on the same side here rid.

I could be wrong, but I read his post as being fed-up with the VFDs, not you

 

[medichopeful]

I agree 100% that EMS workers (be they volunteer or paid) should look professional whenever they are out in public.

But now I am curious: what would everyone's idea of a "perfect" uniform be? Polo shirts? Button-up uniform shirts (like LE)? T-shirts? Cargo pants? Khaki pants? Jeans?

What about shoes? Boots? Sneakers? Flip-flops?

Merely curious.

Eric

 

[medichopeful]

I wish I had a camera these last few shifts. One of the townships we respond to has reached a new level of "cool" Everyone on their local VFD has started cutting the sleeves off of their t-shirts.

(Not in the EMS field yet, so take this for what it is worth)

You may want to file a complaint or phone in an anonymous phone call about this. A complaint from somebody in the field may be more effective than a complaint from the "public." For me, if somebody came to help me or my family out with cut-off sleeves, I would be LIVID. I would not trust them one bit.

Eric

 

[rmellish]

I agree 100% that EMS workers (be they volunteer or paid) should look professional whenever they are out in public.

But now I am curious: what would everyone's idea of a "perfect" uniform be? Polo shirts? Button-up uniform shirts (like LE)? T-shirts? Cargo pants? Khaki pants? Jeans?

What about shoes? Boots? Sneakers? Flip-flops?

Merely curious.

Eric

Heck, I'd just be happy to be able to distinguish the responders from the bystanders and family.

 

[DHarris52]

There is a difference between first response as MFR and those that are called in as to be the professionals. If you are going to play the part then one must be the part. As well, then don't criticize the professionals in their opinions of the difference.

How much does a Polo shirt costs? I know we can get one for around $20-40, I will not label all vollies as scanner toting people with l/s but I can assure you they probably have paid more for some toy that they might possess. Again, priorities in some areas.

R/r 911

You are sidestepping the question.

So you do or do not expect a volunteer EMT to go out-of-pocket for a uniform should their squad fail to provide one? Like I said, no one volunteers expecting anything in return, but it should not cost them anything either.

You are correct about spending priorities in volunteer EMS. Is a vital piece of equipment for the rig not a higher priority than outfitting the squad with shiny new uniforms?

Let me make one clarification - I am in no way arguing that a t-shirt creates a professional appearance. The point I am trying to make is that it is simply not practical to expect volunteer EMS personnel to be wearing an immaculate uniform every time they walk through the ER doors.

 

[rmellish]

So you do or do not expect a volunteer EMT to go out-of-pocket for a uniform should their squad fail to provide one? Like I said, no one volunteers expecting anything in return, but it should not cost them anything either.

Why not? You think paid EMS jobs hand everything out to their employees? I don't think it's unreasonable to expect volunteers to buy a uniform of sorts. After all, I have to pay the difference when my uniform allowance doesn't match the costs of maintaining a professional appearance.

Call it an investment in the department on their part.

 

[Mzcr]

Locally, it seems the departments issue polo or uniform type shirts for volunteers and the volunteers provide blue/black uniform/tac/dress pants and boots.

In school, we had to purchase program polos for clinicals and out of class activities, and were expected to wear dark pants and black shoes/boots that we provided.

In class, we wore program t-shirts and jeans if we wanted.

I don't think any of those things are unreasonable.

As far as expense for students for either, there are ways to be economical about it. Some of the folks at school bought the pants at thrift stores and still looked presentable, and my boots were Bates I bought on clearance for $12.00.

 

[WolfmanHarris]

Why not? You think paid EMS jobs hand everything out to their employees?

I actually do expect my employer to provide or reimburse me for all required equipment. And they do, as do any of the other services I've dealt with in the Province. My student volunteer team did as well.

 

[DHarris52]

Why not? You think paid EMS jobs hand everything out to their employees?

Don't you think this is kind of a silly logic?

Paid EMS personnel are compensated for their time while wearing said uniform.

 

[Ridryder911]

Actually, I don't expect my vollies to be in anything but a T-shirt and jeans, or bunker gear. I have no problem as long as the public knows who the the volunteers are just that. They first respond and help us (the professionals). They do not ride in with us, unless asked or to perform CPR, etc..

There however; a distinct notable difference in the ones that are so called professionals that are getting paid and the ones on call.

No, realistically I don't blame a vollie FD for the T-shirt, as long as they are not wearing them as working on a EMS unit.

I also have a problem with FD on scene that smell like smoke. Sorry, many asthmatics and those with respiratory problems do not need be exposed to clothing and material that smells like the recent structure fire.

R/r 911

 

[WolfmanHarris]

Actually, I don't expect my vollies to be in anything but a T-shirt and jeans, or bunker gear. I have no problem as long as the public knows who the the volunteers are just that. They first respond and help us (the professionals). They do not ride in with us, unless asked or to perform CPR, etc..

There however; a distinct notable difference in the ones that are so called professionals that are getting paid and the ones on call.

No, realistically I don't blame a vollie FD for the T-shirt, as long as they are not wearing them as working on a EMS unit.

I also have a problem with FD on scene that smell like smoke. Sorry, many asthmatics and those with respiratory problems do not need be exposed to clothing and material that smells like the recent structure fire.

R/r 911

With the potential for off gassing from turnouts, they should be treated like potentially hazardous materials and their wear kept to fire work where they are required or potentially required.

Word I received from a Supervisor was that changing regulations for the Fire Service will soon drastically change the storing arrangement for turnouts within the fire hall due to off gassing concerns. These are not pieces of equipment that should be stored in poorly ventilated spaces or that should be exposed to patients unless necessary.