Professionalism!

[Skyview]

Episode 19 mentioned conducting yourself in a professional manner
while on scene, which is an absolute must (in my humble opinion).

As a dept photographer, my role of course is to document various
scenes, with images used for training, press release, investigation,
incident critique, etc. However, as a dept member I also represent
the dept in the public eye, and take great care in that recard.

For instance, if I happen to arrive 1st at an MVA (and I do from time
to time) or a medical (on rare occasion go to those), I will never
start shooting images upon arrival. My first action will be to check
on the patient(s) status, let them know I am not a paramedic but with
the FD (which ususually has a calming affect), and update the units
enroute as to exact location and patient status via radio or, if I
dont have radio with me, cell phone call to dispatch. Ill attempt to
position my vehicle in a manner that is safe, protects the scene, and
allows incoming units to see exactly where I am (for instance, long
driveway). At all times patient comfort and safety are foremost in my
actions until 1st in units arrive, AND they do not need any additional
help from me. Only at that time do I begin any photography.

With regard to actual fires, if I happen to be 1st in, I will update
units or dispatch as to the location and fire conditions, but then
will immediately begin shooting images, as these can and so provide
valuable information when investigating the fire.

Niether I nor any of the firefighters on the dept (or other local
depts) engage in horseplay, joking around, or making comments about
the incident, being careful to take into account what the victims are
going through. In my case anyway, Ive been on the other side of a
call, a story in itself, but on a day when I went to a major MVA on an
interstate with critical life threatening injuries, I happened to
comment when I got home from that call how fast your life can change
(of course the image of that MVA fresh in my mind).... little did I
know but that afternoon, I had an accident at home that required my
own dept to come to my aid, with my being flown bia helicopter to the
local trauma center... not to return home for nearly 3 months.... so I
know the other side of the coin, lesson well learned though I had
always been careful on scene even prior to my injury.

This professionalism is just as important if not a formal dept member,
as you will find your welcome quickly ended if you do not act in a
professional manner, including which images you release to media or
for sale.

I think this subject is often over looked, and happy to see a mention
of it but perhaps it deserves an entire show!

[Craig D.]

Thanks for sharing Tim! I think we will probably make it a topic for
a whole show in the near future. I think it's a very important
subject.

If yourself or anyone else out there would be interested in joining us
on that show to talk some more about this, please let me know.

Craig

[Brent Bollar]

I agree with Tim. Professionalism on scene is a must whether you are a paid department photographer or a volunteer photographer. Everything we do on scene reflects on the department we are affiliated with and the way some freelance photographers may act on a scene can reflect on all photographers in general.

 

Brent Bollar

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From: Skyview <t...@skyview-wx.com>
To: Fireground Action Photography <Fireg...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2008 7:56:59 AM
Subject: [Fireground Action Photography] Professionalism!