tattoos?

[Slaytallica45]

just wondering if any departments had policies against having tattoos in places that are easily seen (lower arms, neck, etc.), i did a search and havnt found this discussed and was just wondering. anyone know?

[phillipmc]

From what I have gathered about our dept, tattoos are fine as long as it does not contian anything obscene or racial.

[Firefighter2230]

it's not been mentioned in our department myself and a few others who have them can easily be covered by a shirt but I would agree with phillip. However even if it isn't obscene someone with that big (insert design here) on the forearm, whole arm or lord help em face looks unprofessional just my opinion though.

[chrism8922]

I'm now sure about how much it has been discussed here, but I have been fairly active on another fire discussion board (firecareers.com) and it has been done to death there.

The reality is: If you are trying to get a job and don't have any yet, don't get them. I love tattoos, and have them in places that are not visible in my station uniform.

My department (very big city on the West Coast) just implemented its new policy - no tattoos shall ever be visible while on duty. Those of us with tattoos that show must wear either a long sleeved uniform shirt or a discreet bandage. This policy applies to everyone, and may be a determining factor in hiring new employees (from what I understand).



Chris
Professional Firefighter

[MOTOWN88]

I have a full sleeve on my left arm and a 3/4 sleeve on my right. I was hired in with tattoos below the elbow and it has never been an issue never not once. I worked EMS as a Paramedic for 2 years prior to going into the fire division and in nearly 16 years of treating patients and victims and responding to calls I have had one person even notice that I had any tattoos at all. My bosses could really not give a crap what I look like as long as the job gets done.

[FirstDueCTVol]

Originally Posted by MOTOWN88

I have a full sleeve on my left arm and a 3/4 sleeve on my right. I was hired in with tattoos below the elbow and it has never been an issue never not once. I worked EMS as a Paramedic for 2 years prior to going into the fire division and in nearly 16 years of treating patients and victims and responding to calls I have had one person even notice that I had any tattoos at all. My bosses could really not give a crap what I look like as long as the job gets done.

You have to completely cover them in our department - if there on your head and neck I guess you would have to wear a bag on your head (kidding).

[JonnytheTurk]

I've got celtic tattoo's on both arms.....one on my upper rigth arm and the other on the left goes below the elbo from the shoulder....nothin was ever said other than "that musta hurt"

[ChicagoFF]

Lots of guys have visible ones here - arms, necks, etc - and I've never heard of any problems. That would seem like a very strange restriction on the fire department. Do you want a bunch of soft, clean cut accountants making the attack to save your family?

[doughesson]

I have three rules concerning tattoos.
1.It should not be something that you cannot show Mom.
2.It should not be placed somewhere you cannot tastefully place on public display.
3.It should mean the same thing thirty years from now that it did last week when you got tanked and decided that you wanted a full color unicorn on your forearm,just before going to Little Sturgis.
My old department had no policy that I knew of and I was not the only one making visits to the local parlors.It might make sense to make sure they can be easily covered or unoffensive but there's always going to be someone offended these days.
Having said that,I have 4 placed on my back,upper left bicep,left chest and upper right bicep.Mom's seen them all,and each one means the same thing they did when I got them.I got tired of being backstabbed,am an unabashed American,I've had my heart torn out by an uncaring,unfeeling HOT blonde b****,and am a volunteer firefighter(at least until I have missed 3 more training meetings)so the knife,Flag,panther and helmet with my FF number have been good choices for me.

[SSTONER]

I have 2 tattoos visible on both forearms(bottom side) I have my daughters portrait with her birthdate on one arm and my sons portrait on the other arm.

They were there when I was hired. Per policy if its larger thna 4X4 it has to be covered. I wear short sleeves and nobody has made a big deal out of it - patients or co-workers.

We have one EMT who has USMC on his shoulder - apparently while in the back of the ambulace he reached over a patient to get something out of the cabinet and his sleeve exposed the tattoo - well the PT complained saying that Military style tattoos were offensive.

So, I imagine someday, someone will find my kids offensive too.

[MOTOWN88]

Lots of guys have visible ones here - arms, necks, etc - and I've never heard of any problems. That would seem like a very strange restriction on the fire department. Do you want a bunch of soft, clean cut accountants making the attack to save your family?

A man after my own heart. Last time I checked you cant really see skin when fighting fire anyway. I am always fearful of departments that put all time and energy into how you must appear.

[lasvegas]

I am new to the forum so excuse me if I do this wrong.I am slowly getting inked ,it has set a fiestorm in my Department and some backlash. I was thinking I should write the Policy and be inclusive of myself so that I am ok and all others behind me. Too much time is spent on how we look and not the Job.

[theacrobat]

Perception IS reality when it comes to this. If your fire chief or hiring director (at time of interview) has a hang up over tattoos, you will be passed over without them ever having to say what it was that they didn't like. Unfortunately, some people still have issues over tattoos. I have a full arm band and a maltese cross on my upper arm/shoulder and one day my chief saw it and the look he gave me made me feel that if I wasn't already hired, the tattoo wouldn't have gone unnoticed!

SO hide it!

Kevin

[Sgnl50]

I have two full sleeves. They have never been an issue. I have kept them discreet for job interviews though.

Matt
Signal 50 Industries
www.signal50.com

[FDNY101TRUCK]

My one friend has a full sleeve and he is in the Navy. They told him not to get anymore...haha

[OrangeCounty]

For those who haven't received complaints about your tattoos - you probably wouldn't. However, management does receive inquires about the firefighters who do have visible tattoos. Having first hand knowledge of a recent call from a councilmember, who inquired about one of our firefighters who is sleeved and has neck art. The Councilmember was advised that we don't have a policy regarding tattoos and this particular individual was an excellent firefighter, didn’t seem to alleviate their concerns.

Having a tattoo that is covered by the uniform is nobodies business, however when it is able to be seen, it impacts how the fire department is perceived by the community. Like the grooming standard controversies we faced in the sixties and seventies about the length of our hair and wearing of beards, I expect that we will see policies regarding visible tattoos.

In a quick internet search I found, to date, the courts have ruled on the side of the employer in “every” case regarding their ability to regulate grooming standards relating to tattoos. We as firefighters have chosen a profession that is paramilitary and has grooming standards. If I was thinking about a new tattoo now, it would be where my uniform would cover it up or I better be satisfied with wearing long sleeve uniform shirts all year long.

[ndvfdff33]

We never have had a policy on Tatoo's. I don't even know of any guys or gals that have any other than a very few, but they are not visible anyway.

For our Military it's a bit different, we cannot have tatoo's on our head,neck,ears. As well you cannot have a tatoo on your chest that is visible with an open collar. These aren't even enforced that much though that I've seen.

[BKDRAFT]

I think I am the only one in my department with tattoos. They are both on my upper arms and the only time people see them is when I am changing during shift change. I get different opinions like oh that's really nice to some who look and say nothing but give a look of disgust. I plan on getting more. I am going to keep all of myne concealed by a short sleeve uniform though.

I know that in the military now new recruits cannot enlist if he/she has sleeves.

[AZFF25]

Define "obscene"?

[ndvfdff33]

Originally Posted by BKDRAFT

I know that in the military now new recruits cannot enlist if he/she has sleeves.

We don't have anything quite that bad north of the border. Straight from the Dress Manual. If we did not allow full sleves that would rule out a lot of people that I've seen coming through lately.

From the CF Dress Instructions A-AD-265-000/AG-001
9. Body Tattoos and Body-Piercing.
Members shall not acquire visible tattoos that could be deemed to be offensive (e.g., pornographic, blasphemous, racist or containing vulgar language or design) or otherwise reflect discredit on the CF. Visible and non-visible body piercing adornments, with the exception of women’s earrings and ear sleepers described in sub-paragraph 6.a., shall not be worn by members either in uniform or on duty in civilian clothing. The meaning of the term “on duty”, for purposes of dress and appearance, is Interpreted in Chapter 1, paragraph 25.
9A. As of April 1st, 2004, members are not to acquire any tattoos that are visible on the head, neck, chest or ears when an open collared shirt is
worn. Tattoos acquired prior to April 1st, 2004 must comply with paragraph 9.