croaker260
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OK, while the the other discussions are VERY riviting, I thought I would provide us with a break from that. WHat I am trying to do is to get some uniform companies to consider improving their product lines for our "sisters" in public safety, especialy those who are pregnant.
For those who aren't “in the know”, over the past 4 months my wife has been pregnant and enjoying (I use the word sarcastically) all the weird body changes that goes along with expecting a baby. What makes this story of interest to us in EMS (other than the sadistic and macabre interest people take in seeing me squirm…) is that My wife is in EMS.
Anyway, over the past 4 months we have up sized pants at least 3 times, struggled with Utility belts, how to carry a radio, and numerous other uniform issues. maintaining a proffesional appearance is an increasing challange with the "maternity wear" options available in the comercial market. Not to mention durability issues.
Again you ask, why am I writing about this? After all, in the past year I can think of at least 2 other pregnant employees at our department alone, and probably 7 in the past 3 years. It occurred to me, as one employee had to modify maternity wear to work on the rig, another modified uniform shirts, that there should be public safety maternity wear. While most people think of the male dominated (not a judgement, just a fact) fire service as EMS, the truth is that most non fire services have from 20-40% females in the field. This does not even account for other public safety agencies that have females in the field, such as Law Enforcement.
Even if a pregnant EMS employee goes on light duty, there are plenty of calls for a “uniformed appearance”. Classes, PR events, Demo’s. Need I say more?
So I checked the local uniform shops: Nothing. Next, I checked the Internet: Nothing. I even wrote one of the largest public safety supply companies I the world: Galls, Inc. Nothing.
Mr. Benny Belcher, Senior marketing director for Galls, took the time to write back:
"...Thanks for your suggestion concerning maternity wear uniforms. Ironically, we have been researching and developing a small offering that we may carry in the near future. The market for maternity wear is relatively small compared to the regular uniform market however, we recognize that it is a niche that needs to be filled.
Again, thanks for the suggestion and we hope that you will see maternity uniforms in the Galls offering in the near future. Best of luck to you and your wife on the pending birth of your baby.
Regards,
Benny Belcher
Senior Merchandise Director Email: belcher-benny@galls.com"
What I would like to encourage others to do is to take a few minutes, write a letter or Email expressing your desire to see Maternity wear that is able to stand up to the rigors of EMS. Relate a personal experience of you or your spouse, or talk about some unique challenges that guys like me would never think of.
I doubt we will see changes in time to help my wife, or the other EMT’s and Medics who are currently pregnant. But this time next year? That may be a different story. But only if You take the time to write. Emails to write to are:
prod-suggestion@galls.com
www.aspenmills.com (go to contact page)
marketing@elbeco.com
Feel free to send me any other sugestions as to people to harass. I am hoping that a significant flood of letters will prompt some investment into this issue.
For those who aren't “in the know”, over the past 4 months my wife has been pregnant and enjoying (I use the word sarcastically) all the weird body changes that goes along with expecting a baby. What makes this story of interest to us in EMS (other than the sadistic and macabre interest people take in seeing me squirm…) is that My wife is in EMS.
Anyway, over the past 4 months we have up sized pants at least 3 times, struggled with Utility belts, how to carry a radio, and numerous other uniform issues. maintaining a proffesional appearance is an increasing challange with the "maternity wear" options available in the comercial market. Not to mention durability issues.
Again you ask, why am I writing about this? After all, in the past year I can think of at least 2 other pregnant employees at our department alone, and probably 7 in the past 3 years. It occurred to me, as one employee had to modify maternity wear to work on the rig, another modified uniform shirts, that there should be public safety maternity wear. While most people think of the male dominated (not a judgement, just a fact) fire service as EMS, the truth is that most non fire services have from 20-40% females in the field. This does not even account for other public safety agencies that have females in the field, such as Law Enforcement.
Even if a pregnant EMS employee goes on light duty, there are plenty of calls for a “uniformed appearance”. Classes, PR events, Demo’s. Need I say more?
So I checked the local uniform shops: Nothing. Next, I checked the Internet: Nothing. I even wrote one of the largest public safety supply companies I the world: Galls, Inc. Nothing.
Mr. Benny Belcher, Senior marketing director for Galls, took the time to write back:
"...Thanks for your suggestion concerning maternity wear uniforms. Ironically, we have been researching and developing a small offering that we may carry in the near future. The market for maternity wear is relatively small compared to the regular uniform market however, we recognize that it is a niche that needs to be filled.
Again, thanks for the suggestion and we hope that you will see maternity uniforms in the Galls offering in the near future. Best of luck to you and your wife on the pending birth of your baby.
Regards,
Benny Belcher
Senior Merchandise Director Email: belcher-benny@galls.com"
What I would like to encourage others to do is to take a few minutes, write a letter or Email expressing your desire to see Maternity wear that is able to stand up to the rigors of EMS. Relate a personal experience of you or your spouse, or talk about some unique challenges that guys like me would never think of.
I doubt we will see changes in time to help my wife, or the other EMT’s and Medics who are currently pregnant. But this time next year? That may be a different story. But only if You take the time to write. Emails to write to are:
prod-suggestion@galls.com
www.aspenmills.com (go to contact page)
marketing@elbeco.com
Feel free to send me any other sugestions as to people to harass. I am hoping that a significant flood of letters will prompt some investment into this issue.