Tailored Image has worked successfully with the National Ambulance Service of Ireland to roll out new range of uniform garments, including what the organisation has deemed ‘the ultimate utility trouser’ – the result of many months of focus groups, collaborative meetings and design considerations.
The National Ambulance Service responds to over 300,000 ambulance calls every year, employs around 1,600 staff across 100 locations and has a fleet of approximately 500 vehicles. The organisation appointed Tailored Image to cater for its uniform needs following a competitive tender.
This contract involved a complete re-design of the full uniform for all staff, including control room operators, drivers and paramedics. The journey towards a new uniform began with a small focus group of 12 staff members and was followed up with a larger group of 30 employees in total – giving a range of staff in different roles the opportunity to express concerns with current uniform garments and voice their desires for a new range. Caroline McAdam, Technical Manager at Tailored Image was embedded in this process from the beginning, taking on board all the information given and using that to respond to the very technical requirements of such a uniform mix.
Of particular concern for paramedics attending road accidents and house visits was the constant need to rifle through their paramedic bags to retrieve important equipment to enable them to attend to patients with ease. Given the importance of speed in these scenarios, the desire was expressed by several paramedics to increase the number of pockets in their trouser to enable to them to have dedicated spaces for all pieces of equipment.
Caroline explains:
‘The National Ambulance service is a vital resource and we felt it imperative to not only listen to their concerns, but to ensure they were addressed to the fullest extent. We worked tirelessly to provide a bespoke solution which responded effectively to the rigours of this vital and very emotive role, including the development of a ground-breaking utility trouser piece with 16 pockets in all, each designed for a particular piece of apparatus.’
As well as this very unique item, Tailored Image undertook a redesign of every item of uniform, and in doing so rationalised the items into a capsule wardrobe which negated the need for some of the more traditional items of clothing which had become outdated. For example, a lightweight durable jacket replaced a jumper and body warmer combination providing a more stripped back approach to the layered look the client desired. the range also includes items made from anti-microbial fabric, which is an extremely important addition to the range given the nature of the role of the wearer.
David Kilgannon, Paramedic and valued member of the NAS Uniform Committee, commended Tailored Image staff for their efforts throughout the procurement and design process:
‘From the outset, it was clear that Tailored Image took on board the complexity of the brief and addressed the individual concerns during our focus group sessions. No stone was left unturned in the quest to provide us with a practical uniform solution and particularly in regards to our trouser requirements. Feedback from wearers has been very positive, and as paramedics, we are grateful for the impact these additional pockets have made to their ability to carry out their roles effectively and without delay.’
For more information on the uniform service Tailored Image provides to clients in the Emergency Services sector click here.
