We have all know for some time that in many surveys firefighting rates at the top of the chart in “most stressful” jobs. This fact again proved to be true in a recent survey held by CareerCast.com. where firefighters ranked as number one.
It appears that we, as PIO’s, get the double whammy though. Hurry to the head of the line for a stress test because we also rank in the top 10! According to the same study public relations officers ranked eighth in stressful occupations.
If you have the unenviable task of being in a volunteer fire department and serve as both firefighter/PIO it appears you are heading for the five packs of Marlboro’s a day plan.
I was cleaning out my favorites file from Internet Explorer last night. Many websites that you initially list as a favorite fade fast from the memory. I came across a site I made a favorite about a year ago. The “Ambassablog” is an employee blog of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. Since I last looked several months ago, it has become an “award winning blog.”
I just received an outrageous e-mail about a new political candidate in our congressional district whose campaign rep requested the pleasure of our company at an event taking place sometime at a restaurant in our community. I say sometime because no date or time was listed on the e-mail invite, just the restaurant. A rather small oversight don’t you think.
I recently hosted a webinar for a freelance marketing assignment I am working on. There were about 100 people in the audience, so I knew, since they couldn’t see my face that I would have to create some quick rapport with them to grab attention.
This past Saturday night I was part of a standby crew that did an overnight shift at a neighboring volunteer fire department. We brought an engine and an ambulance to their house to answer calls during their department’s installation.
I made an error. I sent releases to three community papers this past week about my recent department installation. I normally receive my subscription copies of these publications today.
I was never a fan of empty suit, corporate buzz words or jargon. I have attended numerous meetings where this special language of the for profit world is used.
I was never of big fan of playing golf. I’ve played in the past but I find it kind of boring and frustrating to take part in. The main reason though that my trips to the links are currently at naught is the pressure I feel teeing off on the first hole.
I had this brilliant idea last year of doing a public service campaign to promote the fact that my Department had an active Twitter presence that provided relevant information about fire scenes and MVA’s in real time so residents could know what roads where being closed and how traffic was being diverted. This I thought was a great way to utilize Twitter for the public good.
We held our 102nd Installation of Officers this past Saturday night. I wrote a post on public perception of installations a few days ago. Contrary to popular belief we did not have to tap the nuclear arsenal to quell any disturbances in the community from rampaging firefighters.
What is it about blue lights? In New York State a blue light can be used by a firefighter responding to an alarm, but it serves strictly as an indication for another driver’s courtesy. The public does not have to yield. It seems blue lights have this hypnotic, mezmorizing effect that causes most motorists to become totally oblivious to your attempt to get to the fire house as quickly as possible while staying within the speed limit and rules of the road. Many doesn’t know exactly what to do, a number of sadistic drivers intentionally slow down, while a few good citizens actually yield.
I had the opportunity a few years back to visit Microsoft’s Home of the Future at their headquarters in Seattle. The “house” features what technology could possibly look like in the year 2019. It as very cool and I was privileged to be invited.
The spring is a traditional time for many Fire Department installation ceremonies and dinners. It’s a cautious time for many PIO’s though. While these occasions should be a time to celebrate our department leadership and accomplishments, many in the community question the costs and motives of such events.
Talking about all the virtues of your department in one sitting can create a muddled message. Sometimes it is better to just focus in on one issue at a time.
Towards the top of my “to do” list is a push to increase the number of generic photos in my files. Generic shots would include all of our apparatus, photos of Chiefs, training and fireground shots etc.
Talk about timing. Just yesterday morning I posted about the three quick decisions I have to make as a firefighter/PIO when I arrive at a scene. They were, perform the duties of a firefighter if manpower is lacking, perform my normal duties as the PIO, or watch to see the scene unfold to determine where I can best serve. I also mentioned that I occasionally go behind the lines to interact with bystanders. Little did I know that just a few hours later I would have to use all three options when we were toned out to a fully involved house fire.
When we arrive at a scene I traditionally have to make one of three quick decisions –perform the duties of a firefighter if manpower is lacking, perform my normal duties as the PIO, or watch to see the scene unfold to determine where I can best serve. In a volunteer department all bets are off relating to PIO responsibilities when we are short handed on the fireground.
An interesting incident took place at work late yesterday afternoon. I was sitting at my desk reading a copy of MEDIAWEEK when a colleague came into the office to report on a meeting he had attended. He asked if I had time to chat with him and I told him I was reading an article and could he shoot back in ten minutes. He gave me the strangest look and then I realized that I had committed the most heinous workplace crime of all – reading while on the job.
For the Fire Pio blog as well as for my own department’s dissemination of information via social media I always cross post. This means I use the same facsimile of information I am sending out to Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Some recent articles I have read make me think now that this might not be the best strategy.
I thank Doug Walton for reminding me to let you know about the SMILE Conference (Social Media in Law Enforcement) taking place this week on April 7-9 in Washington DC. I had planned to attend this conference when I first learned about it a few months ago but could not fit it into my schedule. I’m happy that I can attend the Los Angeles version tentatively scheduled to be held in October.
I just read an article in the Public Relations Strategist about how social media is reshaping PR. The story reviewed the incident a few months back between Southwest Airlines and portly film director Kevin Smith who was bounced off a flight because of his weight. Some say the Smith problem was sincere others say he instigated the scene to draw media attention to a new film. Nevertheless Southwest was confronted with Smith’s powerful Twitter presence where he was able to inform his 1.5 million followers about his grip with the airline.
I was on the phone yesterday with a college president I know who asked me if I or anyone in my Fire Department ever encountered an “Ambush” journalist at the firehouse front door. She had been confronted by a TV consumer complaint investigative reporter who does a segment a few times a week about viewer problems. The reporter and camera crew were waiting for the president to arrive at work.
