[smitty088]

Dear FFs,

This may sound peculiar...but I thought I would ask I know dental hygiene is on the mind of many of us. And I am curious... with such emergent reponse to alarm calls.

How do FFs maintain dental health? To ensure when arriving to a call your mouth is fresh and not offense? Mints? Quick mouthwash? Or do you chew gum?

I know FFs are to arrive in clean clothes and professional. Is dental hygiene or has it every presented a issue?

And is it okay to wear a hat? or a light scarf under helmet? I am African American and wash my hair daily so it tends to dry out and can be like an afro or I can oil and curl it. But I know I will not be able to curl it maybe I could wear it straight back?

Any African American women FFs out there please respond or any hair stylists suggestion welcome. Thank you.

Tia
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TT

[ltmalinski]

Tia,
I have to tell you, some of your questions seem a little off. I am glad you are brave enough to ask them, though. I use gum, by the way, as my choppers get stinky when I sleep.
As for hair, if yours is straightened, pull it back into a tail and keep extra ponytail holders in your gear. No one cares what it looks like when you pull off your helmet, but discretely keeping it presentable is a good idea. If it isn't straightened, same goes, might be a little more of a battle to tame it, though. I definitely do NOT think you should put a lot of oil in it, that stuff gets into your hood and helmet headband and messes it up pretty quickly. Can you wash it every other day and condition a lot? I use V05 Hot Oil Treatment every week and try to condition daily with Sauve Sleek, it keeps mine pretty nice, but I got lucky with good hair. Let me know if any of this helps
Jenn

[smitty088]

Thanks Jenn Gum sounds great! And wonderful hair solutions. However my hair is too short for a ponytail and I don't have good hair

So I think I will have to do the Matrix look (the lead lady) Straight back and brush and go (V8 hot oil treatments)

Thank you and much gratitude.

TT
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TT

[firething]

Hi Tia,

I have met African-American women firefighters who wear their hair straightened or dreads. See www.firejock.com. Perhaps the woman who runs it could give you some advice. One male officer in my deparment wears cornrows (are they still called that?). I doubt that anyone will give you grief about any hairstyle you choose unless it poses a hazard to you (long enough to get caught in the saw, e.g.) You may be allowed to wear a baseball cap on night EMS runs. Other calls, you will probably have your helmet on so hair is covered. I think any headgear that interferes with wearing your facepiece and hood will be forbidden. You will probably be taking showers at the academy after morning PT, and they probably won't give you more than 10-15 minutes. So don't plan on wearing makeup or having a hairstyle that will require much styling.

Don't worry about your breath. That's the last thing the people who call you at 3 a.m. will be worried about. And your coworkers will have eaten the same stuff as you for dinner so their breath will be just as bad. I worked with one officer who always had minds for night EMS calls, but he was the exception.

Do you wear contact lenses? That's a whole other issue that can be a pain.

You seem very anxious about the job. Is everything okay?

[smitty088]

Thanks for asking if I'm okay. Yes, everything is fine. I just like to know what to expect ahead of time.

I tend to be detail oriented and I am a realist. I appreciate having my questions answered so when I get there I will be absolutely prepared.

Thank you

TT
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TT

[protectNserve]

Hi TT,

I'm hispanic and have hair very similar to that of an African American. I wear a bandana under my helmet to help with the hair issue and, so far, no one has complained (get lots of jokes though). The bandana does not get in the way of the nomex or helmet, but it does help keep the locks back out of my face and provides a bit of extra cushion under the helmet. While there is nothing fashionable about this it has been functional for me and another gal in my department. You can also sleep with it on so you don't have to consider your hair when rushing for those 3 am alarms. If you have any doubt over whether it's acceptable in your department just ask a trusted officer. BTW, i am also a gum chewer...

Best of luck to you.. Please let us know how you make out!

pNs