Teaching Fire Safety

Yes, the news media are real people too. And they need training just like everybody else to be safe in their chosen work environment. That environment is wherever the story is. Subsequently that can take them to areas where their safety is not assured such as wildland fires. For the last seven out of eight years, I have had the privilege of teaching news media fire safety to the news staff at NBC4 in Los Angeles, California.

The four hour basic class or the 2 hour refresher class includes a review of California Penal Code section 409.5d the news media access law, fire behavior and terminology, fire ground injuries, fire ground safety, driving tips and techniques, and the fire safety rules (Ten Standard Firefighting Orders, 18 Situations that shout watch out and Lookouts, Communications, Escape routes, and Safety zones).

This week, more than 60 members of the NBC4 news staff including anchors, reporters, photographers, editors, producers, and assignment desk staff attended the four days of classes.