I have posted in the past about ambush type journalism and my own scales of justice for dealing with media that does not play nicely. (See Banned for Life) Over the years in both my regular PR jobs and in the fire department, I have encountered journalists who have for a better phrase “flipped the script,” in essence pitching one thing with one side of their face, while actually doing the opposite. Kind of a two faced approach.
By “flip the script,” I mean they sometimes will give you the distinct impression they are writing something that will flatter your department or otherwise serve your interests — when all along they’re planning to sucker punch you using the spiral binding on their reporter’s notebook to hit you from behind.
I’m going to a Firematic Service for a deceased honorary member tonight. We’ll gather at the firehouse in our Class A uniforms and proceed to the Funeral Home. I know a large number of members will attend, they always do. Those in attendance will line up single file on both sides of the parlor room, remove cover, listen to the brief service and then in groups of two, proceed to the coffin for a final salute.
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.
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.
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 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.
It’s been a busy day so far. I am attempting to rectify a crisis communications issue on the regular job, track the large number of alarms the department is receiving for rain and flood related conditions on this part of Long Island, as well as prepare for a business trip to Texas that starts tomorrow. The Texas trip is the one that gives me the most trepidation.
I want to thank Doug Walton for passing along this piece which originally came from the definitive social media website 
When I teach Probies in my departments internal fire school, I always tell them that they already know more than many veteran members. Because of the most up to date tactics that they are learning, they already have one up on the older guys who become complacent and are hesitant to constantly upgrade their skills to be on the cusp of today’s standards.
The FDNY is currently trying to unravel the details concerning an allegedly drunk individual in uniform, sleeping at the entrance to an apartment building following St. Patrick’s Day festivities in New York.
I encourage you to take the time this weekend to participate in a social media survey. If you are a Fire Department Public Information Officer this survey conducted by California State University, San Bernardino, is gathering data to see if, when, for how long and how effective social media is for your department.
At a recent fire exhibition on Long Island a fellow PIO asked if I had a couple of minutes to talk to him about a problem he was having. A number of people in his community were complaining to members of his volunteer department about what they thought was the excessive costs involved in running and maintaining a motorized drill team to compete. So upset was the Chief of Department that he asked the PIO to send a release to the local papers extolling the virtues of motorized racing. The only problem is the PIO agrees with the community complaints.
With all the snow in the northeast during this bitter winter a good old “Adopt a Hydrant” program was in order. I am happy to report that it was a big success, due in no small part to the new strength of the word “public” in public relations.
From a community and public relations perspective things are not looking good in Flint, Michigan. First, response time was questioned in the tragic fire last Saturday night that took the lives of four children ages 1-4, and now the Mayor of Flint announced today that 23 firefighters will be laid off tomorrow. The layoffs will leave just 65 firefighters in a city of 118,000. Flint can also lose two fire stations, which would leave just 3 for the entire town. The city is trying to close an $8 million budget shortfall.
Nothing is worse than writing an articulate and accurate web piece, blog post, press release or story about your department only to have a grammatical error foil your credibility. The grammar police will quickly write a citation to your Fire Department.
