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Female Firefighters Wearing See-Through Uniforms?
The RFS has quickly replaced uniforms that go see-through when wet.
NineMSN
October 19, 2009
NEW SOUTH WALES – Female firefighters in NSW are furious about new thin uniforms that become see-through when wet.
Hundreds of female volunteers at the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) have started an online petition to get rid of the yellow uniforms, which they have described as “demeaning”, the Daily Telegraph reports.
The women complain the uniforms become see-through when they sweat or handle leaking hoses.
“We’re not doing the job to be glamorous — we’re not sex objects,” volunteer Maryann Berndt, 34, told the newspaper.
“You can get quite wet on the fire ground, you always get wet from leaking hoses or filling up the trucks.”
•The new uniforms, which replace the existing navy blue garb, were reportedly issued to all firefighters in the service without consultation.
“This isn’t much of an issue for the guys but not so flattering for the girlies,” another firefighter was quoted as saying.
Several comments on the Facebook petition have called for the blue uniforms to be recalled.
A spokesman for the RFS said the next set of uniforms would be issued with pockets covering the chest.
The use of a heavier fabric as well as double pockets across the chest will ensure the new shirts will not be see-through when wet, they said.
Yellow uniforms were proven to be more visible and absorbed less heat in fire conditions, he said.
Firedude1219
26 days ago
108 comments
someone didn't do their homework.
Roadkill
about 1 month ago
24 comments
Folks, the article is wrong. The author did not do their homework before grabbing the opportunity to slam the fire service.
The shirts being complained about were designed for a particular specialist area of the volunteer fire service, Aviation, and were handed out to other members upon request without further thought. The shirts have since been through three other versions and are now at version 5, which is intended for all fire fighters. The latest version is NOT see through (as proved by my fire fighter wife and a bucket of water).
The shirt shown in the photo is the latest version; the one Mary Anne has is the original.
Lindsay Gorrie
Volunteer Fire Fighter
NSW, Australia
chief43
about 1 month ago
10 comments
It's pretty obvious that someone didn't do their homework before the uniforms were bought.
jcoon1949
about 1 month ago
14 comments
Just think if it were your wife or daughter wearing this uniform, would you look at this problem any different? I think so.
michelle36
about 1 month ago
1706 comments
If you take the necessary and precautionary measures, as well as common sense, most clothing that is lighter color as well as uniforms might be a little more translucent. I disagree with providing excuses for women in the field of fire fighting considering that no one is making exceptions for the guys.
malloryturner123
about 1 month ago
6 comments
That's super lame. I agree they should be wearing something under their uniform, but I would be FURIOUS if it happened to me
Account Removed
about 1 month ago
The article makes it sound like they specifically designed the suits to be see through. I am sure they will make the change with no argument. You gotta admit its kinda a funny mistake.
rdrury
about 1 month ago
40 comments
I agree with you all they should wear something under their uniforms. Hick the female fire fighters I work with all do and we wear dark blue uniforms.
talisaqc
about 1 month ago
386 comments
this is point in case.
why wouldn't the females being wear clothes under anyway? not even a tank top? you're kidding, right?
look, they stated why they were yellow and it's for their own good. would it really be so difficult to having something so thin as a dark colored tank top?
James287566
about 1 month ago
14 comments
You know I agree with Michelle36. I hate to say it but the fire sevice is mainly a male service, However The departments should take into consideration the "special" needs of female fire fighters. The job is tough enough without having to worry about if your colleagues can see through your gear. I realize that the yellow is more reflective, but the gear that I have is dark brown. what we have do to make it more reflective is wear a vest. Just change the color back to dark blue.. its not that big of a deal.
michelle36
about 1 month ago
1706 comments
I agree with hotfoot's comment because most of the uniforms or bunker gear require clothes underneath. However, not to be biased, but here we go again with women in a highly dominated male workforce complaining instead of problem solving. I grew up around a brother, dad and grandfather who were managers and have to ask why the problem had grown to the extent and why issues were not brought forth based upon the situation at the initial onset.
hotfoot
about 1 month ago
530 comments
Most of the woman on our Dept wear shorts & Tanktops under our uniforms so if they show through there's not mutch to see.
TSPOON
about 1 month ago
232 comments
traumamomma..i"m laughing my butt off at your comment...yea its def. a good thing that they are doing something about it
TraumaMomma
about 1 month ago
154 comments
Well at least they are trying to fix it. I would say a darker color. Even a darker yellow. I'd be pissed too. But Id take it home and possibly use it for the "bedroom" wink wink...