The ability to recognize the potential failure of a media event is the first important step. You just can't wing it and hope you didn't make too large of a fool of yourself on the Eleven O:Clock News. Who knows some one may be watching.

When we respond to a Haz-Mat Incident, pre-planning and having as thorough an understanding as we can is a vital component of your overall preparedness and on-scene effectiveness. Once the potential problems are recognized, proper equipment can be accumulated and procedures developed to mitigate the problem when it occurs. The same is true in dealing with the media, you must pre-plan and have the proper information on hand.

Each segment of the module is designed to build upon itself, through demonstrations and hands-on practice sessions using on-camera and written assignments.

The biggest mistake we can make is being unprepared. You should always feel that reporters are going to show up and " You " are going to have to deal with them.


The Four Rules of Media Relations

1. Know your company policy
2. Know the Media
3. Plan ahead
4. Take control


When dealing with reporters there is one basic guiding principle you should remember: The public has a right to know what has happenned, how it may affect them, and what is being done about it. An accident or release is news!

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