If You Want The Media To Know One Thing?

[x635 4,066]

If you wanted the media (or your mayor) to know ONE thing about the emergency services business, what would it be??

[Guest alsfirefighter]

The media...that we (well most of us) are intelligent caring people who are professionals.

The mayor....ooooh if I could only answer that honestly. Then again he probably knows and well I'll keep it at that.

[Guest]

"The Chief is trying to do his job....its best to wait for an interview a little after...not in the middle of a second alarm and its blowin out the second floor window".

In other words....Educate them more about whats going on, who to talk to, when to talk to them, the whole 9. Maybe include it the presentation.

(Im guessing this is for the seminar)

Edited October 15, 2007 by NRFDTL11Buff

[JBE 328]

Get your facts straight and correct before reporting. Use proper terminology. Learn something about procedures, protocols, etc. Use your journalistic talents to educate, rather than just report.

[JBE 328]

As for the mayor, don't shortchange your emergency services. Give us the equipment we need to do the job, and leave certain aspects untouched. This is really FDNY Communications and kinda FDNY specific, so I don't think I'll bore you with details. That's what other sites are for.

[firefighter36 52]

When making budget considerations, reliaze that our job revolves around what MIGHT happen, not what will happen. In other words, public safety workers are an insurance policy of sorts.

[x635 4,066]

I know more people have input, please add because this is going into a presentation aimed at media and goverment officials! Your concern might be addressed in that presentation if posted here.

[Oswegowind 17]

What the phrase "Truth in reporting" actually means! I am tired of them taking stories for more than they really are and running away with them to gain ratings!

[Goose 188]

EMTs and Paramedics are not just ambulance drivers. We are public safety professionals who put up with less parity and lower pay than many people think. Likewise, competent EMT-Bs are a valuable resource in the paramedic-happy environment we live in. With that said, when it comes time to create that budge don't forget that we not only need the proper equipment, but we also need to put food on the table and pay for a roof over our heads.

[Bunkers 0]

When making budget considerations, reliaze that our job revolves around what MIGHT happen, not what will happen.

well said!

[Guest]

The media Stay the hell out of the way let us do the job frist THEN u can ask questions and when u report GET THE STORY RIGHT

The mayor GIVE US WHAT WE NEED to do our job and STOP with all the cuts

[ems-buff 81]

EMS professionals are people that go into dangerous situations as PD or FD do, and sometimes don't come out alive. Yet some of us don't make more then a fastfood employee. Make more civil service jobs for EMT's and Paramedic, so that we get the same benifits that our brothers and sisters in the Fire and Police Departments do....

Edited October 17, 2007 by ems-buff

[Guest]

As an EMT, I have often been assailed by over-eager reporters who try to do their best to get me to release CONFIDENTIAL patient info -

As a writer, I once pulled one of my own stories (& returned the payment) when the editor refused to understand that I would NOT violate a person's privacy (he wanted FULLY identified interviews about some private health issues - several folks willing to give me valid quotes needed some parts of their identity secret for various NON-nefarious reasons)

Emphasize to the media that certain info cannot be released without firm patient permission, and even then some local lawmakers get testy. Explain that most emergency service depts usually have (or should have) a designated spokesperson who is both well-versed in the incident and in privacy issues.

One more thing that would be great - please let emergency service depts and members know that MOST media is not out to do any harm but that education in local laws, etc, is really necessary. This seminar you are running sounds like a terrific opportunity. Thanks.