From a PIO standpoint, I thought I would never say this, but I would rather see a total press blackout then continue to allow the blather coming out of government official’s mouths about the tragic fire in Flint, Michigan last Saturday night that took the lives of four young children.
There has been questions about the response time for a first due unit to arrive on the scene. Instead of saying that the matter is part of an ongoing investigation into the incident, Alvern Lock, the Flint Public Safety Director looked into camera’s and reporters faces and said that staffing cuts and station closings had no effect whatsoever on the response to the fire.
Lock actually said, and I quote, “We’re not concerned with station closings or staffing levels because that was not a factor in this fire.”
Lock indicated that rescue time was lost due to the babysitter, alleged to having left food cooking, being asleep and not responding to efforts to wake him.
“That’s a determining factor here,” Lock said. “How long did that fire burn in the kitchen before engulfing the entire apartment? How much time was that? By the time the fire department gets there, you’ve got flames coming out from windows upstairs and downstairs.
“Is that a response issue? I don’t think so.”
This is surreal! Who is driving the Public Information bus?
Also on The Fire PIO…
- Deep Frying Turkey PSA – November 8, 2010
- How do you keep your Department Press Archives? – October 5, 2010
- Sketchy Characters on the Fireground – August 12, 2010
- Taking your own PR Advice – August 9, 2010
The PIO probably got laid off with everyone else. Check it out-they are laying off 23 more and closing 2 more stations.
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2010/02/city_of_flint_to_lose_80_publi.html
More of a train if you ask me…driving the train wreck that is!