The Blog of Michael J. Todd

LAFD PIO Raises The Bar (Again!)

2009-10-10T19:54:00.002-07:00

Just received a phone call from the Los Angeles Fire Department PIO (It 7:45 on a Saturday night). He called because he saw my post and wanted to personally thank me for the kind words. A personal call from Brian Humphrey on a Saturday evening means a lot! It raises the bar once again for other public safety PIOs across the country. Being a PIO has been the greatest job I ever had. I can't for the life of me understand why other agencies can't figure it out and do things as well as the LAFD PIO's.

I was recently out to dinner with a LAFD Captain and he told me that if he did his job half as well as Brian Humphrey did his, then he would perform 100 times better than he ever intended.

Brian, your work for the LAFD is a model for everyone!

Thanks for the call. I hope my rant will encourage at least one other PIO to be half as good as you!

What happened to good Public Information Officers?

2009-10-10T17:53:00.005-07:00

I recently received a email from the Phoenix Police Department Public Affairs Bureau. In my 17 years of working on both sides of the camera, I've seen and heard a lot of crazy things, but today I must give the craziness award to the the fine folks at the PPD. In their most recent "media hot sheet", it clearly says to not call the on call PIO to confirm scanner traffic. I viewed this request as "Please don't ask us to do our job, because we really don't want to".

The request may be fine if the department would embrace the media policies of the Los Angeles Fire Department, where instant notification is made to all media anytime there is a newsworthy event taking place. Sadly thats not the case in Phoenix. You should also note the LAFD has one person for an entire 24-hour shift. The LAFD is clearly the leader in media relations

I've had many a conversation with the Phoenix public affairs staff, and all they can tell me is how busy they are. I agree. They are busy trying to find ways to not do the job of a PIO instead of doing the job that they are suppose to do.

To my friends at PPD ... Look a little north and west to the City of Peoria, Arizona. Or look 350 miles due west. The LONE City of Peoria PIO for both fire and police as well as the very small (1 per 24 hour shift) LAFD PIO works circles around you and brings pride to the profession of a PIO.

The role of the PIO is important. You should embrace the job, do the job and not treat it as a vacation post.

Completed Com-L Training

2009-06-19T14:59:00.002-07:00

Its been a while since I last updated. The past few weeks have been quite busy.
Last week I was at the Grand Canyon participating in the Public Safety Communications Roundup. Prior to that I was in Yuma doing the wrap up of the OP-TTX.

This week I have been attending the first COM-L class to be offered in Arizona. The class was held at the Phoenix Fire Academy.
It was a good class and is a much needed element in the response to extended operations.

2009-04-06T18:15:00.001-07:00

2009-04-05T15:00:00.001-07:00

Going to Vegas

2009-03-17T11:07:00.002-07:00

Headed to the International Wireless Communications Expo in Vegas for work.

Hope to find and learn about new technologies

This weekend

2009-03-01T19:27:00.002-07:00

This weekend my grandparents visited me. Grandpa and I spent most of the weekend working on my fire truck. Its gone from being a bucket of bolts, with a great paint job, to half a bucket of bolts! slowly but surely its coming together. We put a charge on the batteries, and it started right up! It hasn't been started in almost three years! I was happy!

Crazy Few Weeks

2009-02-10T19:28:00.003-07:00

It's been a crazy couple of weeks around here! Bailey got her second cast in a year off. She was on limited duty for two weeks, when she came down with RSV, Bronchitis and ear infection! She's better now.

Spenser fell at school yesterday and was transported by ambulance to St. Joes for a head injury. He's had a concussion, memory loss and a big goose egg.

He has some memory loss still also.

When they did the CT Scan on his head, they found a slight concern on his thyroid. He has to do more testing on it in the coming days!

We've met our insurance deductible for the year in the first month I think!

Trying out Flock

2009-01-31T22:47:00.001-07:00

I am trying out a new browser called "Flock". Its designed to interface with web 2.0. Pretty cool so far, just trying to figure out how it all works!

Blogged with the Flock Browser

A Weekend with Grandma and Grandpa

2008-12-10T19:15:00.003-07:00

This past weekend was one of the best weekends I've had in years! The weekend started out Friday night when my little princess Bailey sang at her schools Christmas Performance. Saturday my grandma, grandpa, sister, brother in law, niece and nephew joined us at the Festival of Lights Parade. It was awesome! Before the parade, grandma, grandpa, Jessika, Spenser, Bailey, Jennifer and myself did some geocaching. Photos are attached to this blog. It was great fun for everyone!

Tour of the Phoenix 911 Hub

2008-12-10T19:13:00.002-07:00

I spent the afternoon with my co-worker getting a first class tour of the City of Phoenix Police 911 center. They are doing some great things there. 911 operators are often overlooked. They play as big of role as any of the first responders. They are truly the first responders when they answer the phone in response to your 911 call.

Changing Jobs

2008-10-01T09:08:00.002-07:00

I am changing jobs once again. It's always hard to tell your employee you are leaving. I like where I am at, but the new opportunity is just too good to pass up. It's going to be great experience, challenging and a lot of fun! Stay tuned for the big announcement next week. In the mean time, DRIVE SAFE!

Water Safety

2008-09-01T13:46:00.002-07:00

It is ironic that just this week, my wife and I made a plea to a Police Lieutenant about the need for Buckeye to adopt a pool fence ordinance. I made the comment that Buckeye is fortunate to no have had a pool related incident in recent memory. Sadly, I can no longer say that, as a small child was involved in a near drowning yesterday. Buckeye must take steps to create a pool fence ordinance that works. Some people may say pool fences are ugly. I say they are not near as ugly as your child or grandchild laying at the bottom of the pool lifeless.

The Circus Is In Town

2008-06-26T16:57:00.001-07:00

Headed to the circus tonight with Jennifer, Jessika, Lexie and Bailey. Bailey wants to see the unicycles!

Jessika and Spenser are Home

2008-06-24T07:37:00.001-07:00

Jessika and Spenser got home late yesterday from a trip to visit Grandma in Missouri. They had a great trip, and I am sure it was good for them to get to visit with family they don't see very often.

Father's Day

2008-06-15T10:35:00.003-07:00

Father's Day is a fun day! This morning I was up before the kids. Bailey told me she wanted to just lay in bed and relax all day for Father's Day. I let her sleep for a while and soon she joined me downstairs. Father's Day presents are the best. Bailey made me some great things at her school including some yummy cookies. Spenser and Jessika helped to add to my KISS collection by getting me some KISS shot glasses, buttons, and a neon KISS clock. A member of the KISS Army can never have enough memorabilia from the greatest band of all time!

Brad Paisley and Jewel Concert

2008-06-14T08:17:00.003-07:00

It's been a crazy week. I was in Tucson on Tuesday and Wednesday. Back to Phoenix to photograph Brad Paisley, Jewel, Chuck Wilks and Julianne Hough on Thursday night. I headed back to Tucson on Friday to take some helicopter photos.

Brad Paisley's show was very good as usual. He's quite a guitar player. It was my first time to see Jewel live, and I think I like her better live than on recordings. She has a great sound when she is live.

Chuck Wilks and Julianne Hough held their own.

The photo shoot was good. Southern Arizona looks a little bit like scorched Earth at the moment. I think it would be best served to do photo shoot when things are little more green.

The Number 96

2008-06-09T13:45:00.003-07:00

The number 96 has very or little significance to most people. Perhaps it has more of a meaning to Grandmpa Eastman who turned 96 yesterday. Never one to miss a chance of seeing the grandkids, he was raring to go yesterday. The entire family came together for a few hours of celebration. It was great to see everyone!

New Arizona Quarter

2008-06-02T14:52:00.002-07:00

Spenser, Bailey and myself went to the State Capitol today for the release of the new Arizona Quarter. Its the 48th quarter to be released by the U.S. Mint. Bailey and Spenser each got a quarter from the Governor's office. I purchased 2 rolls of quarters, as well as three limited edition quarters that are encased in a special portfolio .... I paid $60 bucks, and came home with $20.75 cents worth of quarters. Money well spent?

Kenny Chesney Rocks University of Phoenix Stadium

2008-05-31T23:22:00.005-07:00

A few hours ago, I was headed to photograph Kenny Chesney. The assignment has been completed. Here is a sample. KC rocked the Stadium tonight to a near sold out crowd

The Big Show

2008-05-31T12:07:00.003-07:00

I'm headed to the Kenny Chesney concert tonight at the University of Phoenix Stadium. Sammy Hagar, Keith Urban, and Leanne Rhimes is on tour with him. I'll be taking photos for the Buckeye Sun Newspaper.

Memorial Day Weekend

2008-05-25T13:15:00.001-07:00

As we spend time this three day weekend, remember the troops or today and yesterday who gave their life so we can enjoy freedom