drinking in uniform

[Midland Retty]

Shopping in the local supermarket in uniform is very much frowned upon - infact as is any public activity when off duty wearing uniform and rightly so in my opinion.
 
Furthermore it could be construde as either posing or worse, abuse of authority to some people.

The government are asking the service men/women of the armed forces to wear their uniforms in public. I agree that they should be able to this and show off the fact that they do a job (that they are proud of) to the public. As long as they are not acting in a way to cause concern or damage the service in any way. If this is seen as posing so be it....they deserve it.

This will definately not cover them going to public bars etc!

Hi Smokescreen

Sorry when I said uniformed services I meant the uniformed emergency services

As you say the armed forces are a different kettle of fish in this respect.

[JC100]

Not a problem, just sticking up for the guys out there who serve!

I used to and never got the chance to wear uniform off the base although would have liked to, but things are finally moving on and hopefully the country will support the forces more and more in the future, and blame the people who send them places instead.

[wee brian]

Uniform is a t shirt and a pair of blue trousers for most guys I see on the run. Or would you put your posh uniform on just for the babes at the Kings Head?

[johno67]

Although I totally disagree with members of all the emergency services drinking alcohol in public places while dressed in uniform, I think there is something to be said for mixing with the local community in which we work. I remember there was an initiative with the Police not so long back encouraging them to take their breaks in local cafes etc.

As we want to be seen as part of the community it seems to make sense that we should be seen doing the things everyone else does, buying a paper on the way to work, stopping for a tea break on the way to a fire safety audit etc. I think it shows us in a more sociable light, and will most likely present opportunities e.g. the lady in the newsagents "I didn't know you were a firefighter, my daughter is interested in joining how would she go about it?" etc.

As long as someone isn't trying to gain favour by wearing their uniform I can't see a problem. Is it 'posing' or is it being proud to show what you do for a living?

[toby14483]

I popped to the shop today to buy some milk, I saw a copper walking into the supermarket ahead of me. I assumed someone has been caught pinching. When I got to the checkout, he bought bread, then left. How silly of me.

Not really relevant, just tend to forget that the police need sandwiches too.

Seriously though, I shop quite a bit in uniform. Especially as it has been decided that at my (retained) station, that we should be turning out for firecalls in uniform underneath the PPE, involving getting changed into working rig either before or after getting to the station. Or wearing it all day anyway... No one seems to mind. The odd nosy person asks about the time when they last saw the appliance or whatever...

Pubs are a big no-no. Even the plain navy blue T-Shirts.

[kurnal]

Not even after drill night any more Toby? How times have changed

[Midland Retty]

Seriously though, I shop quite a bit in uniform. Especially as it has been decided that at my (retained) station, that we should be turning out for firecalls in uniform underneath the PPE, involving getting changed into working rig either before or after getting to the station. Or wearing it all day anyway... No one seems to mind. The odd nosy person asks about the time when they last saw the appliance or whatever...

Pubs are a big no-no. Even the plain navy blue T-Shirts.

Here's a question...Do we actually need uniforms?

We need uniformity to look smart and professional, but in terms of UNDRESS uniform do we really need all the regalia or words and badges emblazened on our clothes? Or could all firefighters just wear plain blue t shirts and trousers and black shoes with no markings.

(im not talking about working rigs or  any other situation where a persons role / seniority needs to be need to be identified at a glance - i.e. police officer / firefighter in fire kit for instance)

Do inspecting officers need uniforms or could they simply wear suits?

Are ranking markings really required ?

Do I really need the brigade badge plastered or big words proclaiming I work for the fire service? on my shirt?

I think uniforms can put up barriers and otherwise don't do very much.

Does the RP need to see me in a uniform to know who I am? No... HSE and other enforcing agencies dont wear uniforms, so why do I?

Toby,

I couldn't / wouldnt do that - I'd feel too self concious - would feel a poser if I was out and about in uniform doing my shopping.

And does your brigade state that (heaven forbid) if you got injured / burnt they would look at what you were wearing underneath your fire kit? Ive heard rumours they are looking at ways not to pay out on firefighters having to leave the job because of long term work related / sustained injuries etc

[JC100]

And does your brigade state that (heaven forbid) if you got injured / burnt they would look at what you were wearing underneath your fire kit?

Funny you mention that, as a fire fighter in the RAF we were issued boxer shorts, socks and t shirts that we were had to wear underneath our fire kit. Is that the same with other brigades?

[Midland Retty]

And does your brigade state that (heaven forbid) if you got injured / burnt they would look at what you were wearing underneath your fire kit?

Funny you mention that, as a fire fighter in the RAF we were issued boxer shorts, socks and t shirts that we were had to wear underneath our fire kit. Is that the same with other brigades?

Socks yes - boxer shorts no...which is a good job really as I much prefer to wear thongs (and occasionally g- Strings on a saturday night)

[nearlythere]

I think many posters who do not like uniformed firefighters drinking in public are of the opinion that those who do will end up with their heads in the gutter by closing time. So having a glass of beer in a pub in uniform makes one a drunken slob then?
How do people feel about uniformed firefighters smoking in public? Smoking kills thousands of people every year.
How do people feel about uniformed firefighters driving a car in public? Cars kill thousands of people every year.
It is all about people's behaviour and conduct whilst in uniform. Some would seem to suggest that if you are in uniform you can't have good of either.

[johno67]

I think many posters who do not like uniformed firefighters drinking in public are of the opinion that those who do will end up with their heads in the gutter by closing time. So having a glass of beer in a pub in uniform makes one a drunken slob then?
How do people feel about uniformed firefighters smoking in public? Smoking kills thousands of people every year.
How do people feel about uniformed firefighters driving a car in public? Cars kill thousands of people every year.
It is all about people's behaviour and conduct whilst in uniform. Some would seem to suggest that if you are in uniform you can't have good of either.

I think it's about perception. If I was to see a group of firefighters in uniform drinking in a pub (if I knew nothing about the fire service) I would probably think that they were on duty.

I think the problems of consuming even moderate amounts of alcohol are well documented; affected judgement, increased agressiveness (watch Street Wars on TV) hence drink driving laws etc. Smoking (unless its drugs etc) or driving a car doesn't have this effect.

Most of the watch nights out I have been on in the past have resulted in somebody being the worse for wear. Imagine if the Sun or Daily Mail got hold of a picture of a drunken firefighter lying in the gutter covered in his/her own vomit. They would have a field day, and the readers would think that was the way every firefighter behaved as we have seen from items posted on this site in the past.

[nearlythere]

I think many posters who do not like uniformed firefighters drinking in public are of the opinion that those who do will end up with their heads in the gutter by closing time. So having a glass of beer in a pub in uniform makes one a drunken slob then?
How do people feel about uniformed firefighters smoking in public? Smoking kills thousands of people every year.
How do people feel about uniformed firefighters driving a car in public? Cars kill thousands of people every year.
It is all about people's behaviour and conduct whilst in uniform. Some would seem to suggest that if you are in uniform you can't have good of either.

I think it's about perception. If I was to see a group of firefighters in uniform drinking in a pub (if I knew nothing about the fire service) I would probably think that they were on duty.

I think the problems of consuming even moderate amounts of alcohol are well documented; affected judgement, increased agressiveness (watch Street Wars on TV) hence drink driving laws etc. Smoking (unless its drugs etc) or driving a car doesn't have this effect.

Most of the watch nights out I have been on in the past have resulted in somebody being the worse for wear. Imagine if the Sun or Daily Mail got hold of a picture of a drunken firefighter lying in the gutter covered in his/her own vomit. They would have a field day, and the readers would think that was the way every firefighter behaved as we have seen from items posted on this site in the past.

Perception is a personnal thing that should not be used to represent the views of the masses.

[johno67]

Perception is a personnal thing that should not be used to represent the views of the masses.

Very philosophical.

[Midland Retty]

I think many posters who do not like uniformed firefighters drinking in public are of the opinion that those who do will end up with their heads in the gutter by closing time. So having a glass of beer in a pub in uniform makes one a drunken slob then?
How do people feel about uniformed firefighters smoking in public? Smoking kills thousands of people every year.
How do people feel about uniformed firefighters driving a car in public? Cars kill thousands of people every year.
It is all about people's behaviour and conduct whilst in uniform. Some would seem to suggest that if you are in uniform you can't have good of either.

Morning NT

Can't argue with anything you have said  But lets face it perceptions / prejudices do exist and you can see the uproar that might ensue if the papers got hold of story / pics as John describes.Infact i suspect its one of the reasons Mrs Retty doesn't allow me out after work!

[toby14483]

And does your brigade state that (heaven forbid) if you got injured / burnt they would look at what you were wearing underneath your fire kit? Ive heard rumours they are looking at ways not to pay out on firefighters having to leave the job because of long term work related / sustained injuries etc

Yes. Thats the reason given. Fair enough to be honest, but it's only a recent thing and it obviously effects how fast you are able to get yourselves on the appliance and get mobile. A minor annoyance, that I have gotten used to.

They have given me socks, but I am at present still free to wear the missus' knickers while on fire calls.