Uniform Question

[BD6413]

Our basic Work Uniform is that of most departments across the Country. Dark Navy {Shirts / Pants} -- We're also issued Badges and Name Plates. My question is are the badges safe ?

Badges and Name Plates do present a professional image to the uniform but is it safe especially when 80% of our workload involves EMS ? I've herd that some patients will grab for the badges which causes a hazzard or potential violent individuals will mistake you for the police {Our County Officers wear Brown and the State Troopers wear blue} I've personally never had a problem and our County Paramedics Wear brighter Blue Shirts than we do and aside from badges and name bars they also display thier service awards / pins.
And yes every once in a great while we'll actually get a fire ...Again I've never had a problem but have herd that burn injuries can occur from the badges and bars through the gear. If that's the case I'd think it's time for new gear but just wondering.

Just wondering if embroidery is better as opposed to all the "heavy metal" ?

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

I have been doing "da job" for 23+ years, and not once have I ever had a violent patient ( and I have had a few of that variety!) make a grab for the badge. If they did, it is secure , so they would rip the shirt first, which would be followed by one very peed off Captain!

As far as the badge and a fire situation... if the fire is hot enough to cause the badge on your shirt to heat up through the outer shell and thermal layers of your bunker gear, then just maybe it is time to get the hell outta Dodge and go defensive!

[VinnieB]

I worked as an EMT in NYC for 4 years.....when I started I wore a badge....BiG mistake...!!!! I found that in an urban setting w/ a large pop. of immigrents....that a badge means YOUR A COP......and most people are not responsive to the Po-Po....my first partner..(from the hood himself) taught me TONS about the inner city and how to deal with the peeps.....basically..what I evolved into was a "ghetto superstar", no badge, no threat, and NOOOO identedy..........the only thing that mattered was that the "white boy" was there to help...and establishing the fact that I HAD NOTHING to do with the poll-eece...was major factor......On a few occations I worked with details from "nice" parts of NYC....they would come to "Da' hood" on OT...wearing a bulletproof vest, 6 cell mag light, and armour underwear......I would say....just what I needed....a cop buff that's gunna' get me killed.....after a loooooong chat and a few runs.....I would get them to see the light and get the accustom to the ghetto....were respect and confidence get you furthore then BS and bulleteproof vests.....Just my opinion...from Da' Hood.......but that's only less then 10% of the nation......

Stay Safe.....

Vinnie....the Ghetto Veteran ...coming to a shooting near you....lol! Thank God...not anymore......

[ChicagoFF]

Our basic Work Uniform is that of most departments across the Country. Dark Navy {Shirts / Pants} -- We're also issued Badges and Name Plates. My question is are the badges safe ?

Badges and Name Plates do present a professional image to the uniform but is it safe especially when 80% of our workload involves EMS ? I've herd that some patients will grab for the badges which causes a hazzard or potential violent individuals will mistake you for the police {Our County Officers wear Brown and the State Troopers wear blue} I've personally never had a problem and our County Paramedics Wear brighter Blue Shirts than we do and aside from badges and name bars they also display thier service awards / pins.
And yes every once in a great while we'll actually get a fire ...Again I've never had a problem but have herd that burn injuries can occur from the badges and bars through the gear. If that's the case I'd think it's time for new gear but just wondering.

Just wondering if embroidery is better as opposed to all the "heavy metal" ?

We just wear blue pants and t-shirts. No badges, no name tags, nothing...
The less the "public" knows - the better!

[VinnieB]

were respect and confidence get you furthore then BS and bulleteproof vests.....

LOL! I just re-read what I wrote.....I should Trade Mark that phrase!......(*****pats self on back*****)

[dmleblanc]

We have traditional badges and brass for our dress uniforms in my volly department, but being an on-call department we wouldn't be wearing them responding to calls (happened only once, when we responded to an MVA right after leaving our annual banquet).

We do have coveralls for medical responses, but names and such are embroidered.

In my paid job (industrial FF/EMT) we changed a few years ago from badges 'n brass to embroidered names and patches. We had a small patch designed in the same layout, shape, and size as our old badges, and that is sewed on where the badge traditionally would go. Beats having to pin on all that brass every morning, and it still looks more professional than T-shirts or polo shirts.

[VinnieB]

Oh man...I keep forgeting that the rest of the country is not the Ghetto....basically.....if you work in white suburbia...then the flash and gleam of badges and brass make those people feel better....b/c to them you look like you know what your doing....virtually by the power of presence....I for one have only worked in Ghettos or some really mean streets.......were badges and brass will get you zapped.....some tough Mutha F'in hoods.....and if you walk into a house wearing all that regalia....they would A) Not let you in and B) Not respect you simply b/c you look like a cop......

In white suburbia....wear what you want....gleam and glitz your hearts content....suburbia is easily fooled by apperance.....

In Da' hood.....show up with respect and confidence.....they can smell you commin'.....so you better bring your game w/ too......image...if you look like an ubertrooper...be prepared to be treated like one.....but if you look like a "normal joe" and OOOOOZE confidence......be prepared to be treated like one bad Mutha'......


Good Luck.......

ps I prefer to work in the worst Ghetto there is.....I signed on fro this Sh*t to do this Sh*t.....not relax in some camp,,,,,,


Stay Safe....

Vinnie......

[Dave1983]

ps I prefer to work in the worst Ghetto there is.....I signed on fro this Sh*t to do this Sh*t.....not relax in some camp,,,,,,

Well, my FD is far from any hoods. But, when I work my PT job on the county taxi (aka ambulance) I always try and go "southside". MUCH more interesting.

[LFD2203]

Guys riding the trucks have never worn badges on their uniform shirts, and several years ago went to cloth badges for duty jackets.
Currently, only the office people wear badges and brass. the rest of us have embroideried(sp) insignias, names, ranks, etc. on our duty shirts. Even our winter jackets now are cloth badges and name strips.
I always preferred not having the badge on, because I didn't want to look like Law Enforcement. But now we see the cops wearing cloth badges as often as not, so I guess we are in no better of a situation.

[PuffyNPFD]

Me personally, I don't think that badges, name plates and collar pins are really necessary for our work. (except bars for da boss) People get us confused with cops, and I personally don't want anyone knowing my name, unless they need it. Da PoPo in RI don't even wear nameplates, they 1" badge numbers on a ribbon board on the right side of the chest. A few depts in my area have chiefs that are sticklers for all the paegentry, but can't do it when the bell tips. My dept. uniform policy is simple, navy blue 100% cotton pants non pleated or BDU, Navy Blue polo shirt with union logo or patch, or any dept t-shirt. Simple.

[ironmint]

I was just mentioning to one of my co-workers this morning how I thought we should switch from our normal badges and nameplates to embroidered badges and name tags. As firefighters, I don't think we need all the fancy shiney stuff except for when we're in class A's. As far as problems with the badges go, I've never had a problem with anyone grabbing for it or getting burnt by it.

[cellblock]

Never had anyone grab for my badge. Been muddy, cruddy and a little bit bloody but the badge never got in my way. I have a harder time keeping that stupid laminated company ID clipped to my uniform shirt than anything to do with the metal badge on my shirt.