Re: National Class A Uniform

[Guest guest]

-- " Bledsoe " wrote:

The BOD of the NAEMT has declared a national standard Class A uniform for EMS.

You can see it at

http://www.lighthouseuniform.com/firedepartment/organizations/naemt.htm.

Any thoughts?

Well, WE know one person, unnamed but initialled KB from Louisiana, who won't

have to buy one

However, IF you want to buy one, Lighthouse is a reputable company with a good

product. I have purchased Coast Guard Auxiliary uniform items from them and

found their products to be of excellent quality and service very good. Pricey? A

bit, but it is very good quality.

....and look at all the places to hang merit badges .

" Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole. "

Larry RN LP

[Guest guest]

I am sure that every EMS agency has at least $424.00 to spend per

employee on these Class A uniforms...better yet, they will probably

make you purchase it...

Do we need a standardized Class A uniform? Probably, but lets think

a little more rational. Isn't that way too much money for a dress

uniform that will be used so rarely? I think so and I predict that

most EMS directors will have a difficult time in justifying the

cost. There are many serivces that won't even pay for your " every

day " duty uniform.

D. Stone

> The BOD of the NAEMT has declared a national standard Class A

uniform for

> EMS. You can see it at

>

http://www.lighthouseuniform.com/firedepartment/organizations/naemt.ht

m.

> Any thoughts?

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am sure that every EMS agency has at least $424.00 to spend per

employee on these Class A uniforms...better yet, they will probably

make you purchase it...

Do we need a standardized Class A uniform? Probably, but lets think

a little more rational. Isn't that way too much money for a dress

uniform that will be used so rarely? I think so and I predict that

most EMS directors will have a difficult time in justifying the

cost. There are many serivces that won't even pay for your " every

day " duty uniform.

D. Stone

> The BOD of the NAEMT has declared a national standard Class A

uniform for

> EMS. You can see it at

>

http://www.lighthouseuniform.com/firedepartment/organizations/naemt.ht

m.

> Any thoughts?

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am sure that every EMS agency has at least $424.00 to spend per

employee on these Class A uniforms...better yet, they will probably

make you purchase it...

Do we need a standardized Class A uniform? Probably, but lets think

a little more rational. Isn't that way too much money for a dress

uniform that will be used so rarely? I think so and I predict that

most EMS directors will have a difficult time in justifying the

cost. There are many serivces that won't even pay for your " every

day " duty uniform.

D. Stone

> The BOD of the NAEMT has declared a national standard Class A

uniform for

> EMS. You can see it at

>

http://www.lighthouseuniform.com/firedepartment/organizations/naemt.ht

m.

> Any thoughts?

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Link isn't working

National Class A Uniform

The BOD of the NAEMT has declared a national standard Class A uniform

for

EMS. You can see it at

http://www.lighthouseuniform.com/firedepartment/organizations/naemt.htm.

Any thoughts?

[Guest guest]

Link isn't working

National Class A Uniform

The BOD of the NAEMT has declared a national standard Class A uniform

for

EMS. You can see it at

http://www.lighthouseuniform.com/firedepartment/organizations/naemt.htm.

Any thoughts?

[Guest guest]

Just remove the last period and it is.

Jim<

_____

From: TJ Holliman

Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2005 8:47 PM

To:

Subject: RE: National Class A Uniform

Link isn't working

National Class A Uniform

The BOD of the NAEMT has declared a national standard Class A uniform

for

EMS. You can see it at

http://www.lighthouseuniform.com/firedepartment/organizations/naemt.htm.

Any thoughts?

[Guest guest]

Just remove the last period and it is.

Jim<

_____

From: TJ Holliman

Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2005 8:47 PM

To:

Subject: RE: National Class A Uniform

Link isn't working

National Class A Uniform

The BOD of the NAEMT has declared a national standard Class A uniform

for

EMS. You can see it at

http://www.lighthouseuniform.com/firedepartment/organizations/naemt.htm.

Any thoughts?

[Guest guest]

Just remove the last period and it is.

Jim<

_____

From: TJ Holliman

Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2005 8:47 PM

To:

Subject: RE: National Class A Uniform

Link isn't working

National Class A Uniform

The BOD of the NAEMT has declared a national standard Class A uniform

for

EMS. You can see it at

http://www.lighthouseuniform.com/firedepartment/organizations/naemt.htm.

Any thoughts?

[Guest guest]

It's Captain Kangaroo!! He was a medic??

Barry Meffert

In a message dated 3/10/2005 6:48:50 PM Central Standard Time,

bbledsoe@... writes:

The BOD of the NAEMT has declared a national standard Class A uniform for

EMS. You can see it at

http://www.lighthouseuniform.com/firedepartment/organizations/naemt.htm.

Any thoughts?

[Guest guest]

It's Captain Kangaroo!! He was a medic??

Barry Meffert

In a message dated 3/10/2005 6:48:50 PM Central Standard Time,

bbledsoe@... writes:

The BOD of the NAEMT has declared a national standard Class A uniform for

EMS. You can see it at

http://www.lighthouseuniform.com/firedepartment/organizations/naemt.htm.

Any thoughts?

[Guest guest]

It's Captain Kangaroo!! He was a medic??

Barry Meffert

In a message dated 3/10/2005 6:48:50 PM Central Standard Time,

bbledsoe@... writes:

The BOD of the NAEMT has declared a national standard Class A uniform for

EMS. You can see it at

http://www.lighthouseuniform.com/firedepartment/organizations/naemt.htm.

Any thoughts?

[Guest guest]

Well we have had the rep for some time, why not look the part. All

Aboard!, the bus leaves in 3 minutes.

Danny L.

Owner/NREMT-P

Panhandle Emergency Training Services And Response

(PETSAR)

Office

FAX

[Guest guest]

Well we have had the rep for some time, why not look the part. All

Aboard!, the bus leaves in 3 minutes.

Danny L.

Owner/NREMT-P

Panhandle Emergency Training Services And Response

(PETSAR)

Office

FAX

[Guest guest]

Well we have had the rep for some time, why not look the part. All

Aboard!, the bus leaves in 3 minutes.

Danny L.

Owner/NREMT-P

Panhandle Emergency Training Services And Response

(PETSAR)

Office

FAX

[Guest guest]

What is the practicality of wearing a Class A uniform? How often will it be

used in a year? Will this be a uniform that someone will work in, other than

a managerial role at the office? Things to think about.

Danny L.

Owner/NREMT-P

Panhandle Emergency Training Services And Response

(PETSAR)

Office

FAX

[Guest guest]

Andy Wheeler says:

>

> Other health care providers do not wear patches

> (outside of EMS) displaying LVN, RN, PA-C, DO, MD,

> etc. that I know of. I do understand that these

> parties usually function within a set territory

> (hospital, clinic, office, etc.) where most of us

> frequently transport to other cities or counties. I

> just feel that the patches are not needed in our

> growing profession.

I'm with you in that belief, Andy. The only people who read those patches

are other medics, firemen, cops, etc... anyhow. The general public

certainly doesn't read them with any frequency.

I am generally in favour of divorcing EMS from the " public safety " image

altogether. So long as we are seen as nothing more than a bastard

step-child of the fire service, progression as a profession will forever be

impeded. It is LONG past time that EMS established its own identity,

separate from the fire service and public safety in general. When it comes

right down to it, EMS has nothing more in common with the fire or police

services than lights and sirens. It is absurd -- and detremental to the

profession -- to let such an insignificant link keep us anchored to the

mediocrity of " public safety. "

Class A's in general look nice. Very professional. I just don't believe

that it is an appropriate image for EMS. If you are a cop or fireman, you

should already have a uniform. If you aren't a cop or fireman, you have no

business trying to look like one. It's that simple.

As for that particular uniform, what do paramedics need badges for?

Especially a cheesey, generic SOL hat badge like that. And who is going to

understand that ridiculous sleeve braid system? Except under close

inspection, an LP looks no different than an ECA. Sucks if you're an LP!

No matter how high you progress with your education, you're still going to

have no more braids on your sleeve than an ECA. And you know how medics

are. They will not be able to resist the urge to embellish and add a little

bling-bling. So, instead of a standardized uniform, we will have a

standardized coat with a myriad of various patches, badges, pins, buttons,

epaulets, etc... plastered all over them, looking like a Mexican general.

This is just a bad idea altogether. Not only is it impossible to enforce

any standards of appearance on the people wearing this uniform (what are you

gonna do, kick them out of NAEMT?), but more importantly, it simply is not

the proper image for a medical profession.

Rob

[Guest guest]

-- " Rob " wrote:

" ... It is absurd -- and detremental to the profession -- to let such an

insignificant link keep us anchored to the mediocrity of " public safety. "

EMS should be transitioned to public health, as that is a more appropriate place

because of what we do. Public Health, however, is as important to public safety

as the fire service and law enforcement. EMS could have a important place in

surveillance and prevention of communicable diseases, public education, injury

prevention, as well as 'care and transport of the sick and injured'.

100 years ago, more people died from infectious diseases than they did of heart

attacks or trauma. With emerging diseases like SARS, and the spectre of Bio and

Chemical warfare, EMS can be part of the sentinel system that reduces morbidity

and mortality, not just on the streets,but for all of society as well.

" ...So, instead of a standardized uniform, we will have a standardized coat with

a myriad of various patches, badges, pins, buttons,

epaulets, etc... plastered all over them, looking like a Mexican general. "

That is a metaphor for what has happened to EMS...a lot of symbolism over

substance.

" Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole. "

Larry RN LP

[Guest guest]

Dear Mr. Bledson-

Over the years, the method I have observed that most consistently motivated

our local politico's to provide the needed support for the area's Volunteer

Fire and EMS services, has been the " Blue Wall " .....the sudden appearance of

a large number of Volunteers at a City Council Meeting, all dressed in Class

A's, and presenting a formal request of one sort or another.

The emotional impact of a visually cohesive group is profound. (And of

course, the closer to an election, the more pronounced the effect.)

I have also had the unfortunate duty to attend several interdepartmental

musters, always in mourning of the passing of hero's, and the image of all

of those other brave souls at attention during a Last Call cannot fail to

provoke public sympathy to the needs of those who serve in Emergency

Services.

To further enhance the iconic image of the Fire and EMS Service by moving

towards a National Standard Uniform will have a subtle but important

effect......the more often we strike that iconic pose, the better.

I instruct my students that, on the initial approach to a patient and their

family, they MUST present the image of a PROFESSIONAL. For people to trust

us with their lives and most intimate secrets a bond must be created in mere

moments, and the visual image is the one that is the most effective, for

they begin to judge you from across the room, before you can say your first

word.

We have to project that iconic image at the Emergency scene, and we must

reinforce that image during our Class A functions.

That image Class A has grown over the years and that image is a ranks of men

and women in dark blue uniform and cover, white shirt and dark tie, spit

shined shoes, lots of brass and merit badges, and white gloves for parade.

Like it or not, it is how we are EXPECTED to appear.

I, for one, fully endorse such a move.

Of course, I could be wrong.

Regards-

TD

National Class A Uniform

>

> The BOD of the NAEMT has declared a national standard Class A uniform for

> EMS. You can see it at

> http://www.lighthouseuniform.com/firedepartment/organizations/naemt.htm.

> Any thoughts?

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Mr. Bledson-

Over the years, the method I have observed that most consistently motivated

our local politico's to provide the needed support for the area's Volunteer

Fire and EMS services, has been the " Blue Wall " .....the sudden appearance of

a large number of Volunteers at a City Council Meeting, all dressed in Class

A's, and presenting a formal request of one sort or another.

The emotional impact of a visually cohesive group is profound. (And of

course, the closer to an election, the more pronounced the effect.)

I have also had the unfortunate duty to attend several interdepartmental

musters, always in mourning of the passing of hero's, and the image of all

of those other brave souls at attention during a Last Call cannot fail to

provoke public sympathy to the needs of those who serve in Emergency

Services.

To further enhance the iconic image of the Fire and EMS Service by moving

towards a National Standard Uniform will have a subtle but important

effect......the more often we strike that iconic pose, the better.

I instruct my students that, on the initial approach to a patient and their

family, they MUST present the image of a PROFESSIONAL. For people to trust

us with their lives and most intimate secrets a bond must be created in mere

moments, and the visual image is the one that is the most effective, for

they begin to judge you from across the room, before you can say your first

word.

We have to project that iconic image at the Emergency scene, and we must

reinforce that image during our Class A functions.

That image Class A has grown over the years and that image is a ranks of men

and women in dark blue uniform and cover, white shirt and dark tie, spit

shined shoes, lots of brass and merit badges, and white gloves for parade.

Like it or not, it is how we are EXPECTED to appear.

I, for one, fully endorse such a move.

Of course, I could be wrong.

Regards-

TD

National Class A Uniform

>

> The BOD of the NAEMT has declared a national standard Class A uniform for

> EMS. You can see it at

> http://www.lighthouseuniform.com/firedepartment/organizations/naemt.htm.

> Any thoughts?

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Mr. Bledson-

Over the years, the method I have observed that most consistently motivated

our local politico's to provide the needed support for the area's Volunteer

Fire and EMS services, has been the " Blue Wall " .....the sudden appearance of

a large number of Volunteers at a City Council Meeting, all dressed in Class

A's, and presenting a formal request of one sort or another.

The emotional impact of a visually cohesive group is profound. (And of

course, the closer to an election, the more pronounced the effect.)

I have also had the unfortunate duty to attend several interdepartmental

musters, always in mourning of the passing of hero's, and the image of all

of those other brave souls at attention during a Last Call cannot fail to

provoke public sympathy to the needs of those who serve in Emergency

Services.

To further enhance the iconic image of the Fire and EMS Service by moving

towards a National Standard Uniform will have a subtle but important

effect......the more often we strike that iconic pose, the better.

I instruct my students that, on the initial approach to a patient and their

family, they MUST present the image of a PROFESSIONAL. For people to trust

us with their lives and most intimate secrets a bond must be created in mere

moments, and the visual image is the one that is the most effective, for

they begin to judge you from across the room, before you can say your first

word.

We have to project that iconic image at the Emergency scene, and we must

reinforce that image during our Class A functions.

That image Class A has grown over the years and that image is a ranks of men

and women in dark blue uniform and cover, white shirt and dark tie, spit

shined shoes, lots of brass and merit badges, and white gloves for parade.

Like it or not, it is how we are EXPECTED to appear.

I, for one, fully endorse such a move.

Of course, I could be wrong.

Regards-

TD

National Class A Uniform

>

> The BOD of the NAEMT has declared a national standard Class A uniform for

> EMS. You can see it at

> http://www.lighthouseuniform.com/firedepartment/organizations/naemt.htm.

> Any thoughts?

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

says:

>

> The problem is Larry, we are Public Safety first, and everything else

> second.

We? In many systems, yes, but not in all systems. I have worked hospital

based systems where we were NOT public safety. We were medical

professionals, as it should be.

Ever heard the old saying, " if you always do what you have always done, you

will always get what you have always gotten " ? That is where EMS is now.

Still trying to fit in with the badge-and-patch " public safety " crowd, and

still getting paid like them... or worse.

Mark my words; as long as we look like firemen, we will NEVER see our

profession be paid or respected by the public as degreed medical

professionals.

Rob

[Guest guest]

If you go back to the very beginning of the program, and look at the reasons we

were creatred in a reaction to the white papers, " Accidental death and

disability, the forgotten disease of modern man " We were created to offset that

problem, and that is public safety.

I know that much has been learned since, and we do a great deal we did not do

then, but we must not forget the goal. Public Safety!

Rob wrote:

says:

>

> The problem is Larry, we are Public Safety first, and everything else

> second.

We? In many systems, yes, but not in all systems. I have worked hospital

based systems where we were NOT public safety. We were medical

professionals, as it should be.

Ever heard the old saying, " if you always do what you have always done, you

will always get what you have always gotten " ? That is where EMS is now.

Still trying to fit in with the badge-and-patch " public safety " crowd, and

still getting paid like them... or worse.

Mark my words; as long as we look like firemen, we will NEVER see our

profession be paid or respected by the public as degreed medical

professionals.

Rob

[Guest guest]

Larry,

I understand what you are saying, and agree with you in principle, but we have

been controlled by people who had EMS is their only agenda. My hope is that

with a Commission we will be able to do Public Safety, and add to it all the

things we are and are capable of doing. I see this commission as a beginning

and a growth factor. It is my dream that we be able to turn this profession

into the dream we all have. Don't through the baby out with the bath water.

Larry wrote:

-- wrote:

The problem is Larry, we are Public Safety first, and everything else second.

There is an agency of some kind to do all those things that you mentioned, be it

Home Health or some other group. EMS is the only group designed for the sole

purpose of intervening in a patients life just to save that life or prevent it

more harm.

What has EMS gained from being part of 'public safety'? Fire Chiefs use the EMS

runs to fluff their budgets, claiming their departments run so many calls. That

would be well and good if the funding went to EMS, but generally it goes to

suppression, HAZMAT, inspections, whatever. The EMS crews get to run 4-5 times

the call volume of the engines, but work the same hours, for the same, or in

some cases, less pay. EMS crews come off-shift exhausted, Engine crews not.

There is little career progression. Have you seen a fire chief yet that is

primarily EMS, despite the fact that most departments have 85% EMS as there call

volume??

Private EMS - we know how wonderful the pay, management, and benefits are with

this sub-species of EMS. We continue to work 'em to death for poor wages, and

use them up. You can find shake and bake EMTs and Paramedics who will fill the

breech. Quality education? Who is going to pay to go to school themselves for

the cost it takes to get a whopping $1-2 per hour more?,How many of these

serices are going to pay

troops to got to class, or rearrange schedules, or reimburse the medics for

their classes. Few and far between (very far). Bid low, hope to come back for

more later, nothing for the troops.

If you are in public health, you do more for the community in prevention,

hopefully lowering the number of runs. There is a potential for progression for

those who chose to. With the others, there are always some form of ceilings.

More diversity, more satisfaction. Hours and pay should be better, as part of a

county government.

Just my thoughts...

" Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole. "

Larry RN LP

[Guest guest]

Larry,

I understand what you are saying, and agree with you in principle, but we have

been controlled by people who had EMS is their only agenda. My hope is that

with a Commission we will be able to do Public Safety, and add to it all the

things we are and are capable of doing. I see this commission as a beginning

and a growth factor. It is my dream that we be able to turn this profession

into the dream we all have. Don't through the baby out with the bath water.

Larry wrote:

-- wrote:

The problem is Larry, we are Public Safety first, and everything else second.

There is an agency of some kind to do all those things that you mentioned, be it

Home Health or some other group. EMS is the only group designed for the sole

purpose of intervening in a patients life just to save that life or prevent it

more harm.

What has EMS gained from being part of 'public safety'? Fire Chiefs use the EMS

runs to fluff their budgets, claiming their departments run so many calls. That

would be well and good if the funding went to EMS, but generally it goes to

suppression, HAZMAT, inspections, whatever. The EMS crews get to run 4-5 times

the call volume of the engines, but work the same hours, for the same, or in

some cases, less pay. EMS crews come off-shift exhausted, Engine crews not.

There is little career progression. Have you seen a fire chief yet that is

primarily EMS, despite the fact that most departments have 85% EMS as there call

volume??

Private EMS - we know how wonderful the pay, management, and benefits are with

this sub-species of EMS. We continue to work 'em to death for poor wages, and

use them up. You can find shake and bake EMTs and Paramedics who will fill the

breech. Quality education? Who is going to pay to go to school themselves for

the cost it takes to get a whopping $1-2 per hour more?,How many of these

serices are going to pay

troops to got to class, or rearrange schedules, or reimburse the medics for

their classes. Few and far between (very far). Bid low, hope to come back for

more later, nothing for the troops.

If you are in public health, you do more for the community in prevention,

hopefully lowering the number of runs. There is a potential for progression for

those who chose to. With the others, there are always some form of ceilings.

More diversity, more satisfaction. Hours and pay should be better, as part of a

county government.

Just my thoughts...

" Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole. "

Larry RN LP