GAG 4-10 Media Policy.docx

**General Administrative Guideline** ------------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------- Subject: MEDIA POLICY Effective Date: 8-1-04 GAG 4-10 Applies to: ALL FIRE DE...

**General Administrative Guideline** ------------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------- Subject: MEDIA POLICY Effective Date: 8-1-04 GAG 4-10 Applies to: ALL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Supersedes: NEW Page 1 of 1 ------------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------- **PURPOSE:** To establish a uniform KCFD Media Policy regarding both emergency scenes and non-emergency inquiries. **SCOPE:** These program guidelines shall apply to all members of the Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department. **GUIDELINES:** EMERGENCY SCENES 1. The KCFD Public Information Officer will respond to all emergency scenes 2^nd^ alarm and above, fire fatality incidents, or any other unique incident that generates above normal media interest. 2. Incident Commanders should assign a Public Information Officer on incidents where the media arrives and is asking questions and the department PIO is not on the scene. It should normally be a Battalion Chief with professional designation, a Deputy Chief, or the Chief of the department. 3. When personnel are contacted at an emergency scene by a media representative they should be referred to the incident PIO. NON-EMERGENCY INQUIRES 1. All non-emergency media inquiries are to go through the Community Service Bureau in the following order: - The KCFD Media Pager - Community Service Bureau Coordinator - Public Information Officer - Community Service Bureau Deputy Chief 2. If a member of the department is contacted by a media representative, instruct them to call the media pager and notify your supervisor. 3. Personnel of the department are not authorized to provide information regarding specific incident information, departmental or city policies, or personnel matters without approval of the Community Service's Deputy Chief or his/her designee or the Chief of the department. 4. Various media outlets throughout the city routinely attempt to contact fire department personnel via Fire Department telephones. If this happens, forward all information to the Community Service's Bureau. 5. This policy does not preclude officials from either IAFF local from communicating with the media while out of uniform and identifying themselves as union officials and not a representative of the department.