STR8TJACKET
11-22-2009, 10:04 AM
http://www.fireengineering.com/index/articles/display/0486054064/articles/fire-engineering/volume-162/issue-110/departments/fire-service_court/the-ban_on_body_ink.html
I found this article in the back of this months (November 2009) Fire Engineering under "Fire Service Courts" pg. 105.
I am a member of one of the most heavily tattooed, and self-expressive volunteer firehouse's in my county (Virginia). I thought a majority of you (and new ff's) would find this interesting. It also got me thinking about a lot of new firefighters that are trying to get hired in paid departments.
I have been a career fireman since I was 19 years old, starting my career with the federal government. I began getting heavily tattooed around the time I was 21 (Circa 2001), to include my lower arms, hands and fingers while working for another county in Va. Being an established artist it only made sense to "express" that on skin. None of my tattoos have EVER been considered offensive in nature, although I have been asked what some of them mean to me, or stood for. My tattoos have never hampered my ability to perform on a call or incident, ie: patient disapproval/contact.
I was hired by the District of Columbia Fire Department (DCFD) IN 2004, having my hands and arms heavily tattooed at the time of interviews, backgrounds ,ect. In 2006 I was hired by a fairly conservative, small city fire department in Virginia which I still work today. Rumor had it that I almost did not get hired here because of my tattoos. But, because of being highly trained, recommended and praised by my other employers and referances I was.
After reading the above article (Fire Engineering, "Ban On Body Ink", Fire Service Courts) I felt I had a valid opinion and advice to give on the topic.
Before any of you are thinking about getting a tattoo, make sure it can be covered up by long sleeves, pants, ect. Your interview is going to sell you to ANY department, and your personal appearance does have a factor on being hired or not. Although it goes with out saying that I do not agree with decisions made in the above article, it is something that seems to be a reoccurring topic in the fire service. (Los Angeles Fire Dept. kind of started this snowball effect last year by a policy they instituted) I don't want any new FF to do something that will effect possibly getting a job, or hurt thier career. Its also a good idea to ask someone who works at a dept. your interested in if they have a policy, especially if you feel strongly that you will have "visible" tattoos one day. Just something to think about.
I know I may seem hypocritical by commenting on this, because I am obviously heavily tattooed, like other members of various fire dept's.
Recently, the city in which I am employed has implemented a new "Tattoo Policy" which address's head, neck and face tattoos. Obviously this wasn't an issue several years ago prior to me being hired. Point being, departments are recognizing these things and addressing them.
Focus on getting the training you need to get hired, and get your tattoos after the fact. Just my advice. I honestly do not see very many "new" heavily tattooed people in public safety positions in the future. Just my opinion and prediction.
Again, I do not agrre with this, simply because appearance has nothing to do with someones ability to perform. I personally have been recognized for several life saving awards over the years, all while being heavily tattooed both at work and while volunteering.
Flaps Down, Collar Up...
Donald Wedding, Virginia
"DLW"
I found this article in the back of this months (November 2009) Fire Engineering under "Fire Service Courts" pg. 105.
I am a member of one of the most heavily tattooed, and self-expressive volunteer firehouse's in my county (Virginia). I thought a majority of you (and new ff's) would find this interesting. It also got me thinking about a lot of new firefighters that are trying to get hired in paid departments.
I have been a career fireman since I was 19 years old, starting my career with the federal government. I began getting heavily tattooed around the time I was 21 (Circa 2001), to include my lower arms, hands and fingers while working for another county in Va. Being an established artist it only made sense to "express" that on skin. None of my tattoos have EVER been considered offensive in nature, although I have been asked what some of them mean to me, or stood for. My tattoos have never hampered my ability to perform on a call or incident, ie: patient disapproval/contact.
I was hired by the District of Columbia Fire Department (DCFD) IN 2004, having my hands and arms heavily tattooed at the time of interviews, backgrounds ,ect. In 2006 I was hired by a fairly conservative, small city fire department in Virginia which I still work today. Rumor had it that I almost did not get hired here because of my tattoos. But, because of being highly trained, recommended and praised by my other employers and referances I was.
After reading the above article (Fire Engineering, "Ban On Body Ink", Fire Service Courts) I felt I had a valid opinion and advice to give on the topic.
Before any of you are thinking about getting a tattoo, make sure it can be covered up by long sleeves, pants, ect. Your interview is going to sell you to ANY department, and your personal appearance does have a factor on being hired or not. Although it goes with out saying that I do not agree with decisions made in the above article, it is something that seems to be a reoccurring topic in the fire service. (Los Angeles Fire Dept. kind of started this snowball effect last year by a policy they instituted) I don't want any new FF to do something that will effect possibly getting a job, or hurt thier career. Its also a good idea to ask someone who works at a dept. your interested in if they have a policy, especially if you feel strongly that you will have "visible" tattoos one day. Just something to think about.
I know I may seem hypocritical by commenting on this, because I am obviously heavily tattooed, like other members of various fire dept's.
Recently, the city in which I am employed has implemented a new "Tattoo Policy" which address's head, neck and face tattoos. Obviously this wasn't an issue several years ago prior to me being hired. Point being, departments are recognizing these things and addressing them.
Focus on getting the training you need to get hired, and get your tattoos after the fact. Just my advice. I honestly do not see very many "new" heavily tattooed people in public safety positions in the future. Just my opinion and prediction.
Again, I do not agrre with this, simply because appearance has nothing to do with someones ability to perform. I personally have been recognized for several life saving awards over the years, all while being heavily tattooed both at work and while volunteering.
Flaps Down, Collar Up...
Donald Wedding, Virginia
"DLW"