Saturday, November 04, 2006

Bad Idea!

Someone is selling their old uniforms on Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200042576233&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:11
and on craigslist
http://neworleans.craigslist.org/clt/226646418.html

I really don't think this is a good idea. For one thing, this is a uniform that's only worn by a few, those who earn it. More seriously, who the heck is buying these items and what are they going to do with them? This is just the thing that can pose a serious security risk for various events around the city. EMS basically has carte blanche as far as access into virtually any building or event in the city. Anybody wearing a uniform (with less than good intentions) would pretty much have the same access anywhere with no questions asked.
In addition, you know that there are those freaks out there who think of themselves as some sort of hero, the ones on scenes who say they're EMT's when in fact they've never had any kind of training at all. If such a person was to "treat" someone while wearing this uniform, how would it reflect on us, especially if there was some royal screw-up on their part? In addition, New Orleans EMS may hold some legal responsibility in such a situation.
Would you expect to see NOPD selling their uniforms to non-police? Of course not; you can imagine the havoc that the fallout would create. For the same reason, I'd encourage y'all to never give or sell your old uniforms to civilians, and if you know who is involved in this practice to please advise them to stop!