Are tattoos okay for Firefighters?

We get this question a lot… Is it okay to have tattoos in the Fire Service?  Well, it depends.  Most fire departments have policies in place to deal with this very topic.  Here at FirefighterMedic we always suggest being conservative if you’re pre-employment.  What does that mean?  Consider this:

1.  Would ANYONE consider it offensive?  I understand that we all have first amendment rights… Fire Chiefs also have the right to not hire you if they choose…

2.  Do your tattoos reflect a positive image?  I know we were all young once, but if you have tears tattooed on your face I’d say that would be a solid no thank you.

3.  Do you HAVE to get it now?  If you’re thinking about getting a tattoo and you’re pre-employment, just wait.  Make it a cool “off-probation” gift to yourself (as long as it complies with all policies).  Don’t add the headache!

 

Most Fire Departments are becoming pretty strict.  Some don’t care at all.  Check in at the departments that you’d like to work at and find out what their policies are.  Don’t get yourself bumped out of a process for something like this.

Comments

2 responses to “Are tattoos okay for Firefighters?”

  1. SDCountyFF_PM Avatar
    SDCountyFF_PM

    Excellent article, Dave!

    A
    word to the wise is sufficient.” I’ve personally known of more than a
    few otherwise fairly promising firefighter(/paramedic) candidates who
    were continually “passed over” because of their choices in “Body Art”.
    I’ve even heard of some (totally land-locked) agencies who had a swim
    test with required “dress codes” for the test as part of their standard
    hiring process for the sole purpose of evaluating the presence of
    tattoos.

    This fad too, shall pass . . . but tattoos are (fairly) permanent.

  2. Ani Eos Avatar
    Ani Eos

    ” … but if you have tears tattooed on your face I’d say that would be a
    solid no thank you.”

    Hahahahaha! I got a kick out of that one. On that note, great advice! Thanks, Dave.

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