Designing uniforms

I've always thought that uniform design would be very challenging. I recently found a blog entry that talks about EMS uniforms that explains why. Frankly, it didn't occur to me that styling would be an issue for EMS -maybe it is for airline attendants and fast food workers- but it is. The writer (Dan) explains that their uniforms are styled like police uniforms and this reduces their task efficacy and moreover, is dangerous!

They are really just police uniforms, evolutions of military designs, sometimes with only a change in fabric color from what local law enforcement officers wear... I think we place our EMS staff at high risk by wearing these style garments. The drug crazed patient does not care you wear light blue while the police in your community wear dark blue. He reacts to the visual styling cues and will often mistake you for a cop in the first few seconds. In most parts of the world this is no big deal, but in any modern American big city it can get you killed.

My first thought centered on functionality (range of motion), durability and fiber (comfort) so it doesn't surprise me this is another problem with uniform design. Think about it; EMS workers have to do their jobs in dirty, dangerous environments. They need apparel that won't restrict their movements, won't tear readily, washes easily without staining, protects them from the elements but not be too hot either. While Dan was less graphic, another site described how often patients bleed and regurgitate on them.