Shorts as a uniform option????

[toddler71]

I am looking for departments that allow shorts (BDU) or other as an alternative uniform option during the summer months. Thanks for your help.

[FTMPTB15]

I know of departments that if it is over 90 degrees AND the entire company agrees, uniform shorts are acceptable. Also, if you're out working (hydrant maintenace, yard work, general maintenance, etc.) AND those participating agree, then uniform shorts are acceptable. The key is that everyone wears them so that it (somewhat) maintains a professional image.

Also, we can wear shorts at night (generally gym shorts as they are the most comfortable). Depending on who is working we either have to put on bunker pants over them, or we can use our own discretion and not wear bunkers.

[swfire42]

Let me get this straight. You respond to calls in gym shorts?!?

[FTMPTB15]

Let me get this straight. You respond to calls in gym shorts?!?

In the middle of the night depending on the company officer, yes. They are department issued.

What do you wear if you get a call during PT?

[swfire42]

put your bunker pants on. What kind of image does someone in gym shorts portray to the public?

[toddler71]

I'm talking about in station, hose testing, maybe even inspections. We would still don our bunker pants when a call came in.

[FTMPTB15]

put your bunker pants on. What kind of image does someone in gym shorts portray to the public?

Maybe you missed this..

we either have to put on bunker pants over them, or we can use our own discretion and not wear bunkers..

Meaning most of the time we have to don our pants, but there are occasions where we don't have to don pur pants. You really think an elderly citizen who needs help back into their bed (no injuries), in the middle of the night, cares about what we're wearing? Geez.. you gotta be kidding me! Never had a complaint yet that at 3am we weren't 'professional' looking.

[mcfd45]

Just be careful, you don't want some lady to get the hots for a firefighter and call 911 to get him to come back over. The shorts might be enough to do it.

[FTMPTB15]

Haha, as long as this lady says out of our district, I think we'll be ok!!

[CpaceEng1]

We wear uniform shorts, not PT shorts during the summer months. (April 1- Sept.30) I was not a big at first, but when it's 110 degrees her in Vegas you diffently notice a difference.

[cozmosis]

As of July 4th, we've joined the ranks of the short-panted.

It's not Vegas hot, but we have a special brand of heat here in The South that includes temperatures in the 90s (or 100s this week) and enough humidity to drown livestock. To wear the shorts, we have to wear bunker pants on all calls. I don't quite understand that rule... but who cares. We certainly spend more time not doing calls than we do on them. Also, the sweat we get on calls disappears more quickly afterwards with the shorts. Gone of the days of sweating on the first call and having a wet crotch for the rest of the day.

Also, the shorts here are a personal option. One member not wanting to wear them doesn't keep everyone else from wearing them. Even with some in short and some not -- we're all wearing navy, we're all wearing the same uniform shirt and we all climb off the same big red truck. I don't think we look un-uniform because our britches are different lengths.

[Jasper 45]

My department has now had a uniform short pants policy in place for four years. The policy allows a member to wear uniform shorts from May 1- Oct 1. Exceptions to the policy are public relations and emergency details, and on-duty trainings at the academy.
I like the policy and enjoy wearing shorts, especially on days like today in which the temperature is about 100 degrees.

[Capt7215]

We just made a change this summer that members can wear shorts on EMS calls. Formerly we had to don coveralls or bunkers if wearing shorts.

I believe it's more professional to be cooler and more comfortable in shorts than to be dripping sweat on the patient.

[FastStangXXX]

We wear shorts here in Clearwater, FL. Love it.

[GTRider245]

The full time county department here wears them in the summer. They are cargo/BDU style and made of Nomex. Some wear them, some don't. They respond to almost every medical call without turnout pants on, and they never get any complaints.

I for one do not like wearing shorts under by turnout gear. It makes pulling them up alot hardler and they always seem to bunch up, but maybe thats just me.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Shorts have no place in the fire service.

Many of you are sitting in the firehouse while you are reading this. Stop reading, go to the kitchen table and look at the folks siitting there.

Do you want to see them in shorts?

The State rests.

[RFDACM]

Our dept. just adopted a "Summer Uniform" policy for a trial season. Shorts and polo shirts during the day and t-shirts allowed after 1700 hrs and on weekedns. Personnel wearing shorts must change in reg. class B uniform for inspections or and details.

As an opposing officer, I think we were sold a bill of goods: "for hot days" has now turned into everyday all day with personnel grumbling about having to change for inspection duty. Not smart for a "trial" period. In my opinion we look less professional, and as we do not see the fire duty as many large metro dept's we have alot of other than emergency duties that have us interacting with the public. I actually saw a Pepsi delivery man the other day and mistook him for one of our guys until I got close enough to read the white lettering on the back of his navy blue t-shirt "Pepsi Co." And with the polo's the guys look like Fedex delivery men.

Like I said, it's my opinion that the shorts are less professional looking but I went along with the trial period to see the issues. Of course we've had to buy all personnel EMS turnouts to wear because we tried eliminating bunkers in the ambulances(whole contamination issue). With shrinking budgets and taxpayers calling for tax caps and reductions, I see anything that could possibly reduce our "professional image" as a bad thing. When it comes time to vote, we need all the taxpayers to be Pro FD. Professional attitude and attire will help.

[fieldseng2]

We can only wear shorts when working out or sleeping. I'm curious to know what FDNY's policy is on shorts.

[HeavyRescueTech]

We can only wear shorts when working out or sleeping. I'm curious to know what FDNY's policy is on shorts.

If I'm not mistaken, FDNY allows members to wear approved FDNY shorts, per their agreement with their union.

personally, if they are professional shorts, then I have no problems with it. if they go on a call that would require pants, they would need to put their bunkers on.

[ehs7554]

put your bunker pants on. What kind of image does someone in gym shorts portray to the public?

Those guys must work out.......

Hello we are here to help you. Sorry we are not dressed better, but maybe we can leave, go back to the station, and change clothes. Then we will come back to assist you.

On the other hand......when I am wearing my gym shorts, I just put my turn out pants on. Additionally I do not think you should wear just shorts on EMS calls.