Wearing Skirts On The Job As An EMT....

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Permalink Reply by Reg Mathis on July 20, 2009 at 4:34pm

Having never worn a skirt, I can't speak from experience. But i would believe that it would be extremely restricting in some of the tight spots we have to get into. Not to mention the modesty problems with having to get down on the floor, etc to treat patients.

But the bottom line is, the dress code is there for a reason(usually), and if she cannot comply, perhaps she should seek another position within the service. Maybe dispatcher or instructor.

Just my 2 cents.

TCSS

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Permalink Reply by Fire Chick 1st. Lt. on July 20, 2009 at 6:23pm

totally agree with reg..

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on July 20, 2009 at 4:54pm

Sorry but I don't care who or what you are....I am NOT wearing a skirt......Paul

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Permalink Reply by Lauren on July 20, 2009 at 5:03pm

Ok, I don't mean any of this to be mean. I work as an EMT. Just lifting and transferring you need to be in pants. I had a stretcher issue on a hill that brought me to my knees literraly. I had a patient that would not remove his hand from my inner thigh while I was giving him blow by oxygen. You need to be properly dressed for the situaton. If you're on the roadway giving c-spine stablization, I would be afraid of showing my butt. You need the BDU pockets for pens, penlight, scissors, etc... I would say that try to have her get a job as a dispatcher or a non-road job. However, with the way our lovely laws are, she could probably sue for religous discrimation for not being allowed to wear a skirt, but its very unsafe and may result in her safety being compromissed.

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Permalink Reply by Lauren on July 21, 2009 at 8:43am

LOL thanks

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on July 20, 2009 at 5:17pm

I'd argue that it's totally impractical.

Regardless of length, I reckon (not speaking from experience!) that you'd apend a fair bit of time more concerned about your dignity, it'd be in the way for some things and so on...

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Permalink Reply by Shareef Abdu Nur on July 20, 2009 at 5:33pm

Being a religious man myself and having to be forced with conforming to a secular standard or practicing my faith, the answer to her dilema is simple. She has to prove that her religious attire is not jeapordizing her safety or the safety of any others involved. If she can prove this, then the case is no issue at all. It will then be up to the administration at your department to practice what they preach by embracing diversity and supporting her constitutional rights or to keep their heads buried in the sand and only hope the situation goes away.

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Permalink Reply by Dustin J. Millis on July 21, 2009 at 12:13am

In this case, wearing a skirt would be jeapordizing to her safety. There are countless biohazard reasons wrong with this. Not to mention the modesty issues involved.

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Permalink Reply by Kayela Cant on July 20, 2009 at 5:55pm

I would have to agree that it is very impractical. It would be like sending a female firefighter into a building in a skirt. it just wouldnt work. There are reasons (including safety and practicality) that limit the current dress code to pants.

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on July 20, 2009 at 8:55pm

Has precedence been set anywhere else? Does the military allow a different 'work' uniform based on religious beliefs?

Enough said.

A very good point....

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Permalink Reply by Captain Busy on July 20, 2009 at 7:57pm

I think it's great that she is VERY religious, and due to her faith and values, but unfortunately, she will have to look for employment elsewhere... unless your from Scotland, and I seriously doubt that EMS there wear kilts for emergency response...

Most employers have a uniform standard and with workers compensation issues being a definite factor, your girl friend needs to make a choice. If she want to work EMS, in the field, then she has to comply with common sense rules and regulations.

There is NO place in this profession for people that have SPECIAL needs. Either fit in or look for employment elsewhere. Rules are rules and they are there to protect us all. I think she needs to think about working indoors where wearing skirts should not be an issue.

This sure sounds like a high maintenance situation... be careful what you wish for... you may get it.

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Permalink Reply by Tammy Buckley on July 20, 2009 at 8:20pm

I'm going to put my two cents in on this one. As a Firefighter/EMT I do have to agree that sometimes a woman wants to feel like a woman, but we can't because you never know when the tones are going to go off.

I understand that it's a religious issue with your girl-friend. I would suggest having her look into dispatch or in the EMS offices.

Open toed shoes, tank-tops, skirts, and shorts are not allowed to be worn on Medical or Fire calls at my station. On a medical call if you wore any of the above listed clothing, you're not allowed to respond. Basically, it's a safety issue. The more of your body that is covered on a medical call the less likely you are to get a possible bloodborne pathogen, or other bodily fluids on the skin.

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