Opportunity ?

[RandySmith]

I've been invited by the local fire chief to start carrying a pager so I will know when there is something major going on. The fire dept., is all voluntary, so training is a good possibility to actually go into structures with the firemen.

I already submit photo's to a local paper, so this will be met with a lot of interest from the editor I'm sure ..

Anybody have any experience shooting fires with firemen ? I should would hate to see anything happen to my equipment.

Thanks.
Randy

[srwatters]

Give Wyatt a PM. I believe that's his line of work. I'm sure he could fill you in.

[CaptainTom]

Sounds like you've found a friend in the fire dept. who likes your work.

They only thing that comes to mind immediately is that there is a lot of water at a fire.
Protect your equipment somehow. If it were me, I would use a protective cover for my camera/ lens, and make sure my equipment bag was water resistant.

The thought just occured re: smoke...... I suppose that could mess up your camera pretty badly as well.

I hope someone here has some experience in this, and can help more than me.

[RandySmith]

Thanks guys, I've taken a lot of the fire department portraits, do the local parade thing, plus a lot of activities at the local schools and in-town events for the local paper ... three years ago I could drive down the street and not know or recognize anyone, now it's an entirely different situation, I can almost tell you their life stories ..... participating with the growth of the community with the local paper has been and continues to be a wonderful experience.

I'll give Wyatt a PM and see if he has any suggestions. The water and smoke is a concern of mine too. As well as the high temperature.

Thanks again.
Randy

[Kar]

I am a firefighter myself and do this with several fire depts. Since they gave you a pager then you are in good standing. When I am taking pictures they gave me nomex coveralls and a helmet since I will be closer to the fire than the lay public. I know we gave them out to other photographers as well. We also took the photogs through a day class that actually had them fighting fires so they can understand what we are doing and not get in the way or get hurt.

To be honest I have never had a problem with my camera on a scene EXCEPT I would never change a lens because all the soot in the air. Just blow your nose after a fire and you will see!!

Also PD may not know you. I would always respect what they say if on a scene and later work it out, but since they gave you a pager that is really super. At one point I have 2 Minitor IV and 1 Minitor V and a two-way.
What kind do they have?

Pm me if I can be any more help.
My web site has some fire pics.....

[RandySmith]

Thanks for your thoughts, I'm not sure what the 2 Minitor is you're mentioning ... I haven't received the pager yet, the chief told me he was going to get it and let me know ... I've taken several motor vehicle accident scenes around McKinney, and never had a problem with the police ... I have press credentials from the local paper if ever asked, but normally they see I'm not getting in their way, or causing any more problems for them ...

As this progresses, I may PM you, but at this point I'm just trying to get a general idea. I'll zip over to your website and check out the pics.

Thanks.
Randy