I mentioned in my post yesterday that we have had three structural fires over the past couple of weeks in my hometown of Smithtown, NY. Every fire was different with its own unique set of challenges and tactics of attach. Although all the fires were different there was one common denominator near the fireground.
Each time there is a working fire an assortment of sketchy, slimy, shadowy characters appears near the fireground. Some carry business cards, some clipboards, some notebooks others camera or the obvious “costume” they put on to look like a member of the community concerned about their neighbors house burning to the ground.
These parasites are shyster ambulance chasing lawyers, substandard unlicensed construction contractors, charlatans who will board up the property and do overhaul for pennies and other equally despicable non humans looking to swoop in and make a quick buck on someone else’s misfortune.
As PIO’s we are not exempt from being contacted by these skuz balls. Two incidents have transpired over the last few years to show that it is alright to properly vet a “journalist” before you speak to them.
Just off the fireground during a fire a few weeks ago I was informed by the police that a “reporter” wanted to talk to me. I went up to this weasel who told me he was a freelance reporter and wanted information on the fire and how it might have started. I asked him who he freelanced for and he was evasive, I asked him for a business card and he did not have one, I asked him who he wrote for in the past and had a memory lapse.
Obviously I sent him packing with the additional information that if he comes to a fire scene again I will let him interview the police. He got my message.
A few years ago I received a call from a “journalist” who was writing a freelance piece on the history of Smithtown. Unusual that his historic master work only wanted to focus in on a century old house, how it burnt down and if I had any additional information on the circumstances. This in depth journalist was sent to the Fire Marshals office. I hope he is OK; he mysteriously disappeared after I told him to speak to the Fire Marshal. Gee, I worry about him every night.
The lesson for us as PIOs is that we have every right to vet alleged journalists and delve into their credentials before consenting to speak to them. No one every said that a reporter or journalist has a free ride and is not subject to our scrutiny before we are interviewed by them.
Also on The Fire PIO…
- Even the Walls have Ears – November 24, 2010
- How do I Address a Judge? – November 18, 2010
Just a clarification Jeff, the “shysters” that you refer to do not work for “pennies”, they over bill the insurance companies ($1000.00 to throw a tarp on the roof is a perfect example). Some have been known to steal contents from the fire building and through their subscriptions to Lexus Nexus and other web based programs, they have no problem looking up and calling the victims neighbors, family members, employers and others, misrepresenting themselves as Fire Marshals, Building Inspectors the fire department and for the first time the other day–the Red Cross.
In the Towns of Smithtown, Brookhaven and Babylon, if they cross the fire line, a Fire Marshal will arrest them without hesitation. Other jurisdictions are following suit.
They know this and will park down the block but then lie to people on the scene in an effort to track the homeowner down and trick them into signing a contract.
It has gotten to the point where New York State Passed a law prohibiting public adjusters from chasing calls from 9PM-8AM. Hopefully, this will be amended to slow these board-up dirtbags down as well.
There are more than a few legitimate board up, restoration companies and public adjusters out there but they have to be contacted by the insurance company, the insured or an attorney. They NEVER chase calls as they don’t have to. Their reputations speak for themselves and they are always busy.
Stay safe and great job with this blog!
Be careful though about appointing yourself the judge in charge of decided what is or is not a “journalist” nowadays. People get sued for that. A person who writes a blog can be considered a journalist, as is the guy holding a camera taking pics for Ireport. Even if no money is paid for his pics, the courts have upheld the rights of these so called “journalists”. I dont like it either, they cut into my income but thats the way it is in this new era of news gathering on a zero budget.