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ENG Safety Memo

Emergency Alert System
Roger Herring

The next RMT will be sent down on Tuesday, February 4 at 11:15pm.  

There was a follow up meeting called by the Governor's office to review the problems associated with last months test of the Amber Plan.  Among other things, increased communications was deemed a necessity to keep a test from airing and causing panic among the public.  If you have not already done so, please sign up at the web site below for emails regarding monthly and Amber tests.

Please schedule to have your endec upgraded with the latest codes, specifically for Amber which beginning April 15th will be CAE code. Visit http://www.okeas.org for more information.

New Year's Resolutions for Safety

Excerpts from the Editor, Mark Bell.
So many try to make New Year's resolutions. They're
looked at as folly by so many, too. But there's a side to
them which can be used for the better, and that is thinking
about them in the first place. Heck...nothing ventured,
nothing gained, right?

Let's go through the remote crew people in the typical
newsroom and make up some resolutions which might
make the day better.  There's room for humor here,  too....

Resolutions from the Producer:

1) I'll try to remember it takes at least a minute to record
a minute of video.  Two minutes for two, etc.

2) I'll remember all "live" shots aren't. Some die at birth.

3) I'll keep in mind that a risky event entails risky cov-
erage options. I'll gently push, do the best job I can, but
will take steps to assure the crew will return home safely.

4) Viewers CAN hear when I yell at a reporter through
IFB. I'll speak quieter while stressed when they're on air.

5) I'll encourage crews to use backlights, and back-
ground lights, and try to give them the time to do nice
looking work. Poor quality live shots are a cliche...let other
stations rush and do them.



 Resolutions from the Assignment desk:

1) We'll petition lawmakers to eliminate all speed limits.

2) We'll yell less at field crews.

3) We'll discover a way to use more phones at one time.

4) We'll remind crews to walk around, walk away, and
look up...and perform safety checks as much as possible.

5) We'll coordinate meal breaks...make meals happen.

6) We'll make sure every crew uses hands-free phone
accessories, and wears reflective vests at night.

7) We'll compliment crews upon return from a busy
day....even if it's not so busy, perhaps.



 Resolutions from the Reporters:

1) I'll cringe less when "that photog" is assigned to me.

2) I'll partner up with the photogs, not enslave them.

3) I'll treat every shot like it's for the resume tape.

4) I'll thank the crew for making us look good, or even
just getting the shot up at all.

5) I'll look up at the mast as it is being raised. It's my
life, too. I'm part of the crew and can promote safety.

6) I'll wear reflective vests/materials at night.

7) I'll report maintenance issues I observe.

8) I'll listen to "look-good" suggestions from photogs.

Resolutions from the photographer:

1) I'll remember that it's not my face on camera, or just
my story, or just my job, if it screws up and looks bad.

2) I'll drive the speed limit, or exactly to the traffic flow.

3) I won't be afraid to tell the desk it's not enough time,
not enough safety, or not enough cable, and the truck has
to move. Preparations take less time than accidents.

4) I'll wear reflective vests at night, and extended visi-
bility colors or vest during the day.

5) I'll light all scenes well. Bad live shots are bad.

6) I'll use hands-free apparatus ALL the time, or don't
talk on phone. I'll stop in order to write directions.

7) I'll maintain the van, or have it maintained, with
ALL issues written so management can manage them.

 8) I'll walk around, walk away, and look up, at every
live shot, no matter what the time frame.



This author bets some will have "issues" with the lists,
as opinions are as plentiful as resolutions. However, TV
news people, as those in other industries, tend to round off
sharp corners of good work practices, and need to have
reminders, not incidents, remind them of safety.

A report from a news manager of a recent accident
described how the mast on their van was rising as the crew
drove, and finally snagged power lines, damaging the
mast, mast top, and the van.

It was claimed that the mast-up alarm lights and aural
warning signal were functioning, but the crew didn't react.

For the station, repair costs are high, a year's salary in
some markets. For the managers, a dilemma of repair
work, working around lost resources,  time spent in meet-
ings and consultations, and deciding what would be the
best punishment or discipline, if any, for the employees.
For the crew, who was driving to their next location with
the generator running, maybe it's time for one more New
Year's resolution, and a special thank you to Lady Luck.



Happy New Year!

Be careful out there.

For more infomation, specific to PTSD and broadcasters, go to www.dartcenter.org, Nat’l Center For PTSD www.ncptsd.org,  or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Alliance www.ptsdalliance.org 

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