Firefighters’ heroic deeds go unnoticed by media

[x635 4,066]

GREAT article!

Firefighters’ heroic deeds go unnoticed by media

By BILL KING

HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Oct. 20, 2010, 8:02PM

In the early morning hours of Jan. 17 this year, members of Houston Fire Department's engine No. 23 were called to a fire on the city's east side. Upon arriving they were told that three children were trapped in the house and that the mother had already received severe burns trying to get her children out of the house.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/7256492.html

[Alpinerunner 61]

Excellent article!! Very good points about the media missing a lot of the good. And we all know that bad/shocking news sells, but a saves like these certainly should have enough shock-value to sell papers and air time.

[firebuff860 54]

While I agree the media always looks for the negative stories, The HFD PIO might want to work on some relationships with the media to get these stories out there.

[ffp20 14]

Look, in many cities (probably most), most media outlets have various political philosophy's. Many of them are not likely to say any good about what union firefighters do if they are an anti-union slant paper. Others may not want to do a positive story about an event that may make a mayor or other political figure of another cloth appear in a good light.

Others are just plain lazy and wont, or cant due to budgetary restraints, go out and do old fashioned reporting. How many media outlets use and reuse canned stories from other media outlets. Many events on a weekend go unreported due to news rooms being understaffed.Some just listen to scanners and write a short based on radio transmissions instead hit pounding the dirt. Most stories just get repeated and repeated to fill time and make it look like they're busy and out there walkin' the beat.

Many, if not most, seek out the "sensational" stories to stir viewers/readers and affect ratings. The management wants ratings because advertising rates are based on them.

If we want our stories told, many times we have to do it ourselves. Every dept should make friends with certain media players and court them and fill them in when things happen. Those who want the stories get them, those who are lazy wont.

[IzzyEng4 427]

Look, in many cities (probably most), most media outlets have various political philosophy's. Many of them are not likely to say any good about what union firefighters do if they are an anti-union slant paper. Others may not want to do a positive story about an event that may make a mayor or other political figure of another cloth appear in a good light.

Others are just plain lazy and wont, or cant due to budgetary restraints, go out and do old fashioned reporting. How many media outlets use and reuse canned stories from other media outlets. Many events on a weekend go unreported due to news rooms being understaffed.Some just listen to scanners and write a short based on radio transmissions instead hit pounding the dirt. Most stories just get repeated and repeated to fill time and make it look like they're busy and out there walkin' the beat.

Many, if not most, seek out the "sensational" stories to stir viewers/readers and affect ratings. The management wants ratings because advertising rates are based on them.

If we want our stories told, many times we have to do it ourselves. Every dept should make friends with certain media players and court them and fill them in when things happen. Those who want the stories get them, those who are lazy wont.

I totally agree with you 100%. We need to start being our own best friend instead of our worse enemy, especially when it comes to cases like this incident in Houston. The news only has one purpose and that is to sell news for a profit. A lot of media personalities, especially newspapers write articles for their own notoriety and make a profit. Or they just ignore the subject.

Look at the Bridgeport LODDs back a few months ago to see how certain newspapers work. Obviously the Connecticut Post since its a Bridgeport-metro paper is going to have extensive coverage and also did a great job of giving both Steve and Mitch a proper firemen's tribute. Every paper in this state except for one had lengthy articles about the tragic incident, on their front pages. Then you have the New Haven Register, not even a blurb in the regional state section of the newspaper!!! The Providence Journal even had a front page alert of the tragedy!!!!. Needless today a great number of officers and firefighters from the New Haven area began lambasting the NEw Haven Ragister and initially their answer was well its not a New Haven area incident or news worthy HUH?!?!?!?! Every NYC news channel had it on their 6pm news and not this RAG! When the firefighters up here began tier efforts and made it known of the injustice this paper did, well they changed their tune quick.

We need to put ourselves out there in a positive light all the time, we always advocate it but sometimes we do fall short. We need to stay on top of what they report and make sure we give them the correct information. And when they mess up (for lack of a better phrase) we let them know about it.

[BIGRED1 71]

I have to agree that the News outlets just are too lazy to get the info. As stated they listen to scanners and just give what they hear. One example would be News 12's coverage of the Pelham Manor fire on Wed morning. If you look at the IA report there were:

PMFD

2 Engines

1 Ladder

1 Chief,

FDNY

5 engines

3 Ladders

1 Rescue

1 RAC Unit

2 FDNY Chiefs

Pelham

1 Engine

1 Chief

New Rochelle

1 Engine

1 Ladder

So that's 15 apparatus on scene. News 12 had a 15 second little clip showing almost nothing on the morning edition, but covered a small White Plains fire with "Top of the Hour" coverage. The White Plains fire was under control, as per there chief, in about 30 minutes (good stop guys) but the Pelham fire was going on for 2 1/2 hours. News papers are worse with just recycling a story that someone else wrote. No much hitting the pavement anymore. These guys who saved the children should get some recognition, they deserve it.

[x635 4,066]

While I agree the media always looks for the negative stories, The HFD PIO might want to work on some relationships with the media to get these stories out there.

One of the point was that the media knows about these stories and chooses not to cover them. They have an excellent PIO and very extensive community outreach program, including one software system that alerts and updates the news media in real time, as well as press releases.

http://www.houstontx.gov/fire/abouthfd/index.html

[gamewell45 258]

I have to agree that the News outlets just are too lazy to get the info. As stated they listen to scanners and just give what they hear. One example would be News 12's coverage of the Pelham Manor fire on Wed morning. If you look at the IA report there were:

PMFD

2 Engines

1 Ladder

1 Chief,

FDNY

5 engines

3 Ladders

1 Rescue

1 RAC Unit

2 FDNY Chiefs

Pelham

1 Engine

1 Chief

New Rochelle

1 Engine

1 Ladder

So that's 15 apparatus on scene. News 12 had a 15 second little clip showing almost nothing on the morning edition, but covered a small White Plains fire with "Top of the Hour" coverage. The White Plains fire was under control, as per there chief, in about 30 minutes (good stop guys) but the Pelham fire was going on for 2 1/2 hours. News papers are worse with just recycling a story that someone else wrote. No much hitting the pavement anymore. These guys who saved the children should get some recognition, they deserve it.

Did the Fire Department send out a press release to the media?

[x635 4,066]

Did the Fire Department send out a press release to the media?

If they were on scene, which they apparently were, a TRUE journalist wouldn't need a press release.

[firebuff860 54]

One of the point was that the media knows about these stories and chooses not to cover them. They have an excellent PIO and very extensive community outreach program, including one software system that alerts and updates the news media in real time, as well as press releases.

http://www.houstontx.gov/fire/abouthfd/index.html

If the PIO had a journalist "in his pocket", the story would be in the paper. From what you have posted, HFD looks like a very progressive FD. It is a shame they do not get the media recognition to go along with it.

[gamewell45 258]

If they were on scene, which they apparently were, a TRUE journalist wouldn't need a press release.

That is the question herein; were they on the scene? Another question as a followup could be: did they have access to a PIO or Chief at the time?. Another factor that needs to be taken into account is the news conditions of the day; was it a busy day news-wise. Much like EMS, the news industry prioritizes news stories based on the story type. Many stories that would normally get coverage under most conditions can get dropped if conditions demand it. It's basically up to the news managers in broadcasting or editors in the newspaper industry as to how much, if any coverage you get.

Edited October 31, 2010 by gamewell45

[BIGRED1 71]

That is the question herein; were they on the scene? Another question as a followup could be: did they have access to a PIO or Chief at the time?. Another factor that needs to be taken into account is the news conditions of the day; was it a busy day news-wise. Much like EMS, the news industry prioritizes news stories based on the story type. Many stories that would normally get coverage under most conditions can get dropped if conditions demand it. It's basically up to the news managers in broadcasting or editors in the newspaper industry as to how much, if any coverage you get.

The were on scene and they were there while fire activity was going on. They showed the very end when nothing was going on. As for PIO, I am sure they had access to the proper people. It was in fact a slow news day. The Yonkers car accident that morning was nothing more then a car upside down on it's roof. I am sure the public sees that a few times a week on the highways and what not. A house on fire not so often. Which would be more "spectacular"? A car on it's roof or a house on fire? The house fire 9 times out of ten. Now this goes back to the original issue. When those guys made the rescues that should have been in the paper. Less Trash, More Class. I know the trashy stuff sells papers , but when something is actually new worthy PRINT IT!!

[Boss159 7]

In northern Dutchess county it is rare that reporters even leave the office for incidents in the area, rather call the Firehouse 20,000 times while everyone is still on scene requesting information from the answering machine. I have had on a few occasions updated the local papers with incident detail only to read the article the next day and have it completely wrong, and very obvious that the reporter was not even listening or taking notes. So in my opinion it is a waste of time to give out any info, I will never again, if they want a story drive to the call or firehouse and interview in person. With that being said I do understand the power of the media, positive or negative.

[gamewell45 258]

Less Trash, More Class. I know the trashy stuff sells papers , but when something is actually new worthy PRINT IT!!

Your very correct, unfortunately it generally comes down to selling newspapers or ratings.