UK Fire Service Visual Communications Group

Thank you all for showing an interest in the formation of the above and extra thanks to all those who have offered to help me get it off the ground. Initially to save costs I propose that the group’s news letters are produced as an E—mail for those of use that have it. For those without an e—mail address at home or work (are there any left now a days?), the news letter can be e—mailed to the Brigade’s E—mail address, for attention of Brigade Photographer/Visual Aids Dept/Media Services.

History

I first became aware of the need to, at the very least, form lines of communications between all those involved in the field of visual communications in UK Fire Brigades during the last twelve months. Although not recognised as such by our employers, our specialisation requires a host of specialist skills that are unique within the Fire Service and the photographic profession. In the last twelve months I have had a very steep learning curve, thankfully a lot of professional skills developed during a career as an armed forces photographer (Royal Navy), were carried over. I have had to learn about Fire Ground Safety, Fire Service Incident Command, Home Office Radio Procedures etc., etc.

We need to be aware of how not only to do our professional tasks, but, to dovetail it to the needs of the Fire Service. We need, when carrying out photography of suspected arson, or where due to fire, a life has been lost or a serious injury took place, how to record the scene correctly and how to maintain records in line with PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence Act). We need to establish an Audit Trail for all photographic and video evidence that we record s that it stands up in either criminal or coroners courts. And for that matter internal boards of enquiry. We show our professionalism by being able to provide our customer, the Fire Brigade, with a high standard of work, and to guide the customer when he is not sure on the correct method of achieving the photographic result.

I am heartened to learn that the larger brigades have already taken this on board, I personally have seen, and I am impressed with the standards of record keeping that Stuart Wilson of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has in place. On the other hand when I came to Dorset Fire and Rescue Service in 1999, there was not even a negative register in place and all prints were filed in chronological order in the same envelopes that Boots supplied when the films were processed.

Dorset at the time were guilty of not only not maintaining an audit trail, but just as bad the processing and printing were carried out in store at a high street chemist chain, how can you provide a professional service using an amateur snapshot processing service! By the very nature of our job, some of the things that we record are distressing and should be in confidence and only released to those who have a need to know.

I hope that those with longer working with the fire service can share their knowledge and experience with those of us who are new to it. Like wise, I believe I have professional knowledge and techniques to share with those who have only ever worked for the Fire Service and are now considering getting into fields such as digital imaging and computer graphics as I embraced these over five years ago. My knowledge of conventional photography is quite broad, in the Royal Navy I have used 35mm, medium format and 5x4, as well as video in hi and low band U—Matic format (plus on one occasion Betacam SP). I am hoping to learn more about Digital Video as this is an area I know nothing about.

I must stress that the group is about its members and how we share information, we should get as much out of it as we put in. To develop and maintain professional standards I would like to see a photographic and graphics competition, I am sure that there must be sponsors out there, I think that there would have to be an administration fee to cover the expenses of a judging panel. Has anyone got any ideas how to achieve this? I have also broached the idea with the local Fuji Rep he sees no problem if we put a written proposal he will forward it on to decision makers, does anyone see any problems, I'm sure there are!

I think that I have spouted off enough, please let me know what you want and if I have missed anyone who should be invited to join our group please pass their details on to me.

Phil Ball

Aims

1. To try and form a working party or association, where photographers throughout the UK Fire Service, both uniformed and civilian can share ideas.
   
2. Develop standard working practices, i.e. in numbering/filing and audit trails of photographs that may have legal implications i.e. fire investigation.
   
3. To provide an improved standard of cover to their Brigades.
   
4. To work closely with police scenes of crimes and develop an expertise in fire investigation photography.
   
5. To identify any training needs and develop training courses leading to nationally recognised qualifications.
   
6. Provide a forum for discussion via news letters, either in printed form i.e. electronically via email.
   
7. To establish a pool of experts who are available to provide help, advice and mentoring to less experienced workers.
   
8. The establishment of a library of Photographs, Video and Computer Graphics. If this not possible then access to the libraries of Various Department who can then sell photos, videos and graphics at cost price, but to make all this material more accessible to the UK Fire Service and out this to the Media, Equipment manufacturers etc. (a source of revenue for the Brigades!).
   

Objectives

1. To contact as many UK Fire Brigades and their Media Services/Visual Aids Departments as possible.
   
2. To find out what people in my situation think about my ideas.
   
3. I would encourage feedback so that this can be incorporated into the plan.
   
4. To form a working party to get the project of the ground.
   
5. Seek ideas on how to fund the project.
   
6. To have annual competitions to promote Visual Communications within the Fire Service, with categories in Photography, Video and Computer based Graphics (PowerPoint presentations, Web Pages, Desk Top Publishing and Graphics). I would also seek sponsors for this project.