MEDIA ADVISORY
June 7, 2011
Media Wildfire Orientation offered in Olympia June 23
Fire shelter training required when approaching wildfire
OLYMPIA – A wildfire orientation will be held for all of Western Washington media on June 23, 2011. This orientation is to provide local media outlets with safe access to Department of Natural Resources wildfires, while complying with wildfire safety rules and standards. Course participants will receive a certification card that will assist in the safe covering of wildfire incidents.
This orientation will provide reporters and photographers with information regarding local contacts, new interagency media guidelines for wildfires, fire shelter training (required when visiting the fire line), and a wildfire press kit. Media personnel will be given a fire shelter test to demonstrate they can deploy a fire shelter in 25 seconds or less. Those who attend the training and pass the test will be given a signed card that will permit them to approach a fire line during the fire season. This certification card will save time during the fire season and prevent media personnel from delay in covering wildfires.
| Where: | Natural Resources Building in Olympia
1111 Washington Street SE, Room 175 A & B |
| When: | 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., June 23, 2011 |
Directions:
| Southbound | Northbound |
| Take I-5 Exit 105A; follow the "State Capitol" lane which parallels the freeway for 1/4 mile. | Take I-5 Exit 105; keep to the left, following the "State Capitol" lane. |
At the second traffic light (Capitol Way, the first light after the tunnel), turn right. Turn right again at the next traffic light (11th Ave.). At the next traffic light (Washington St.), turn right once more. Make the first left into the parking lot of the Natural Resources Building. Visitor parking (VP) is available on Level P1 for $.50/hour.
RSVP via email to janet.pearce@dnr.wa.gov with the approximate number of attendees. For additional information, please contact Janet Pearce at (360) 902-1122.
Media Contact: Janet Pearce, Communications and Outreach, 360-902-1122, janet.pearce@dnr.wa.gov
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