Lord save me from clueless newbie news reporters!
After 17 years in television news, I tend to chaff when I see some news report about a fire-related story where it's obvious that the reporter hasn't a clue what he or she is talking about. I forgot what it was like being brand new and hanging on by my finger nails while trying to stay focused on my mission to shine the light of truth on all those neglected stories out there. One such news story recently finally brought it all to a head……
There was a tire-pile fire in Texas that tied up local fire departments for 12 hours while trying to extinguish 200,000 tires well involved. This sentence was part of a quote from the Fire Chief: "Chief Hinojosa says they used about 100 gallons of water."
Okay, I know the current thinking on tire-pile fires is to divide and conquer but 100 gallons? Maybe a 100 gallons of foam…..but I know that another report of the same fire said 100 THOUSAND gallons of water. Maybe it's just a proof reading problem, but I've seen worse.
A young reporter on a Pittsburgh station a few years ago was doing a live shot in front of a large structure fire. Defensive ops were under way with ladder pipes and deck guns in use. The reporter got completely flustered on-air while trying to explain why the "Firemen have taken their hoses up the ladders to spray water on the smoke in an effort to stop the fire". Another one out of Cleveland explained to the public "that due to the severity of the fire, the firefighters had to bring in their big hoses"…..while pointing to the 4 inch LDH laying in the background. Yeah, I know, all Firefighters think they have big hoses.
I can't count the number of times I've heard newbie reporters call some room and contents fire a "4 alarm fire" because there were 4 fire trucks sitting out front. And try to explain to one of them why you are spraying "soap suds" on that tanker fire. SHEEESH!
For a few years in the early 2000's, there was some improvement. Most news anchors and reporters seemed to "get it", but the industry has undergone a tremendous change since then. Veteran newsies have been shown the door and cute, under-educated and under paid "mic stands" have taken their place. (We call them that because holding a mic in front of the camera is about the only thing they can do right. )
I had an idea a few years back for a webpage designed to serve as an education portal for the press…teach them how to talk about us. Maybe it's time for it!
* * * * * * *
Also on FireGeezer…
- My 9/11 Story – A Ringside Seat to That Terrible Day …. by Steve Marshall – September 11, 2011
Pingback: Morning Lineup – April 15 | Firegeezer