Yesterday afternoon my department was toned out for a mutual aid on a working fire in a neighboring town. We sent a Chief and an Engine. I followed the transmissions on my scanner and it appeared our work was limited. The scene of the fire was right near a notorious, long shuttered psychiatric hospital. A number of plans are on the table of how to eventually utilize the land the facility is standing on. Everything from parks to a planned community is on the table.
Due to the interest in the site, I figured the media would be all over this one. Little did I know that the media would be all over me.
During the alarm I received numerous calls from TV stations, print and web media asking about the incident. When I told these folks that the fire was not in our district and that we sent an Engine and Chief as a mutual aid and did not have any further details, many wanted to know who to contact from the other two departments on scene. It appears the press called the primary department and got no answer and then called the other mutual aid department and ditto.
It is unfortunate that most departments do not place importance on having a working PIO. A PIO is not just in business to churn out releases and speak at schools. On any incident command flow chart the PIO is an integral part of the command.
It appears yesterday that the IC chain was broken because the primary department at the scene did not have a PIO there or appoint a representative during the fire.
Also on The Fire PIO…
- My Vacation – Being a Line Officer – September 23, 2010
- What’s in your Email Subject Line? – August 11, 2010
- What’s in your PIO or PAO “Go To” bag? – October 18, 2010
- The PIO Should Keep Homeowners Informed on the Fire Ground – November 2, 2010
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