Where Did the Pride Go!

Has anyone noticed lately that we have started to navigate away from wearing actual uniforms? The uniform was one of  the most scared parts of our job. Putting on our uniform could make a man change the way he felt on the inside. Firefighters today have just started wearing whatever they feel. You see firefighters in hats that don’t match of all colors. Sneakers with the uniform instead of some nicely polished boots. Collar brass is either missing or hanging off. Firefighters whom could careless about having a Class A uniform for when the time comes to be at a formal function or when having to do the unthinkable and ring out that last alarm for a brother who has returned home to quarters for the last time. Perhaps the most disturbing part are the Chief Officers these days who wear the business suits or everything else but a uniform to work. Where did the pride go? When was it not the classier thing to wear to a function where you are representing the department? When did it not become good enough to display your pride and belief in your department?  When did a degree make you such a snob that you feel a uniform is not professional enough? These are questions I pose because our uniform is what sets us apart and makes us stand out from the rest. It is such an amazing feeling to be out in the public and have a citizen you protect come up to you and say you firefighters sure are sharp. I will even go as far as to say this. You show me a department that has a well thought out and squared away uniform and I’ll show you a department that is pretty squared away. If you show me a department that every member wears something different and Chief Officers who either half wear the uniform or don’t wear one at all, or firefighters who wear the uniform how they want I will show you a dysfunctional department. It may seem simple to you but think about what you just read and I think you will find it to be true. Our uniform speaks volumes about us, and our department. The next time you put on your uniform have some Pride! The uniform represents what we stand for, who we are, and most importantly those who came before.

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