I like to think I am a Professional. When summoned to headquarters or even stopping by to see the clerks at payroll, I'm in a new uniform shirt, cap and tie because you never know when you'll bump into the Chief of Department.So imagine my surprise when we responded to our Headquarters on a medical call and I found myself without my button-up shirt.
Not really listening to the guys calling out jokingly "Grab your shirts!" I donned my navy blue, collared job shirt, zipped it up and climbed into the fire engine to respond.
20 minutes later I was doing a walk of shame.
Lessons I've learned from this event:
1. Always have your shirt at the ready. Whether you are anywhere near HQ or not, if you're not wearing it, put it on the engine anyways.
2. If you find yourself without it and out in public, don your safety coat instead of wearing just your shirtsleeves. You shouldn't be wearing your shirtsleeves out anyways.
3. When you see your engine mates donning their safety coats OVER their uniform shirts, follow suite and do the same, even if the call is a possible cardiac.
4. While assessing the patient and the Chief walks in, focus on patient care, there is time for chit chat later.
5. When the Chief says "Nice Sweatshirt" in the same tone one might say "Hey you cut me off in traffic," do not say "Thank you, Sir" while taking the blood pressure.
6. And by all means, when important papers still have to pass through that Chief's office for certain blog related issues, avoid this situation entirely.
D'oH!
Comments
It shouldn't matter if you're going to HQ or The Pope's house. You're there to render medical aid, not stand tall for a uniform inspection.
As an aside, where I work, during the day, we're required to wear a button up uniform shirt to all calls. After 7pm, job shirt over T-shirt is allowed (and, I feel, appropriate).
*still slapping forehead*
This reminds me of an incident several years ago in a large urban police department. An officer was shot and seriously injured. As per expectations a lot of cops showed up to donate blood, express concern, support the officer's family, and all the other things that they do.
A high ranking officer showed up and noticed that two officers were wearing long sleeve shirts, but had removed their ties. He ordered a Sgt to write them up for being out of uniform.
Seems like once they get gold on their uniforms, their priorities get all screwed up.
If you're wearing apparel approved for running calls, I don't see any conflict at all if you were in fact...you know, running a call.
We don't require special turnouts for fires at HC, do we?
If the uniform and PPE are appropriate and approved for general use, I cannot imagine the silliness of requiring something special for calls in a certain place for purposes of decorum alone.
In fact, I find that to be slightly unprofessional, in a way.
HM, are we reading this right?
I also agree with TOTWTYTR.
Job Shirts, Dept Sweatshirts and the like are often worn without too much problem.
When I mention Safety Coat it is because a certain group of employees has no turnout coat, so they are permitted to wear a safety coat (Jacket) instead of the uniform.
Rules are rules, whether they make sense or not. You can pass judgment about gold holding on too tight, but I knew the rules, had plenty of time to don my jacket without impacting patient care, I just thought it funny this happens when I'm walking the Project through HQ.
And my boots are never shiny enough.