February 5, 2004
By Tshepiso Mogotsi
"I WANT you to feel the heat," shouted training instructor Willie Barker, as a group of journalists stood inside a burning building trying to get some sense of just what fire fighters have to go through as part of their routine.
The group of nine Joburg-based journalists were undergoing the first training programme run by the Johannesburg Emergency Management Services for reporters who cover emergency zones.
"Feel it, feel it," shouted Barker, as the heat inside the building continued to rise.
The two-day course, held at the Brixton Fire Training Academy, saw reporters and photographers being put through their paces in much the same way as fire fighters undergo their basic training. The programme consisted of practical - and physical - exercises along with theoretical lectures.
Journalists learnt about the dangers inherent in working in emergency situations, how to approach such sites, who to speak to and when it is the appropriate time to approach fire fighters on the job.
The Johannesburg EMS decided to run the course to educate members of the media on the work of fire fighters and create more effective and efficient lines of communication. During times of crisis information is often not available or complete. Through demonstrating to the journalists the why and how of these problems many of these problems can be overcome.
EMS spokesperson and course lecturer, Malcolm Midgley, said the course is accredited with the National Fire Protection Association, which monitors the standards of fire fighting around the world. "The only other place to offer such a course is in Phoenix in the US."
The group was showed the different equipment used by the EMS: the air truck, which supplies breathing equipment; the tanker that pumps water away from a disaster site; the eagle, an incident command vehicle equipped with radios, television and a weather station; and the Bronto Skylift, with a 37m-long ladder for high-rise rescue operations.
Midgley explained emergency terminology, so the next time a reporter receives an SMS about a P1 it will be obvious that the person involved is in a critical condition. There was also an opportunity to test out the breathing apparatus.
Journalists take time out from learning about fire fighting
After a demonstration on how to operate a fire extinguisher, journalists took turns to try it out. Hours of chasing down stories ore trying to capture that perfect picture paid off for the media crew - running with heavy-duty fire hoses turned out to be a cinch.
The writers and photographers graduated from the course with flying colours and will receive nationally recognised certificates in fire journalism. This means that they will now be accredited by the EMS to enter emergency zones alongside the fire fighters and be able to tell the story based on observation rather than having to wait for official reports.
After the intensive two days, the course ended with a splash - with fire hoses being turned on the participants.
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