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OOPPSSS!!!!! (w/Pics)

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ALARMS DISABLED
Investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
have found that the warning alarm for the microwave mast was disabled on
the WSB-2-ABC live truck that tangled with primary power lines last week
in Atlanta (Market #8). In addition, the flashing light alarm was
covered with duct tape.

Reporter Tom Jones and veteran photog Leonard Raglin amazingly escaped
serious injury even though 115,000 volts of electricity surged through
the unit, causing it to burst into flames, blasting a hole in the road.

"The explosion sounded like something out of Baghdad," Jones (right)
told Atlanta blogger Doug Richards. "It was horrific and rocked the
van."

"It was very difficult to keep my wits because of the smoke that quickly
filled the truck," he recalled. "My photographer was the hero because
his training quickly kicked in. He repeatedly pleaded with me NOT to get
out. I wanted to get out because the smoke had overwhelmed me. He made
sure it was safe to get out on his side and then properly bunny-hopped
his way out. He then encouraged me to do the same. The fire burned holes
in my suit, singed my hair, and burned my briefcase."

According to a station insider, WSB management is "trying to downplay"
the incident "out of embarrassment and fear that the station may face
fines and/or damages." The accident reportedly traumatized the entire
news staff.

Raglin (left), a widely respected veteran of the Atlanta market, was at
the controls of the live truck. "Obviously, the mast was up when it
should not have been," he admitted. "Tell your readers that a very
experienced photographer and technician did something he never dreamed
he'd do...driving off with the mast up. When routine things don't get
their proper attention anymore, you can become blind to the obvious.
Look up and live!"

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Man! I'll bet they both needed to change their pants when they got home! :oops:

_________________
" SILENCE IS CONSENT "

Made to Government Specs:
1) Measured with a micrometer.
2) Marked with a chalk.
3) Cut with an axe.

Jim N7UAP - Bellingham, WA / InterceptRadio.com

A Los Angeles area female TV reporter, almost lost her arm -- when the ENG VAN antenna mast came into contact with a high voltage power line -- while setting up for a "live remote feed".

Sadly, this happens way more often than we ever hear about.

My brother who is a nearly 40 year broadcast engineer sent this one to me, but I have heard many stories from him (and others) of near death, and actual death related experiences, all from this same source.

It is my personal opinion that the "dumbing down" of news field staff is the primary cause of these tragedies.

What I mean by that is, once upon a time, a remote gig could not occur without an FCC Licensed engineer on site. Systematically, industry pressure has completely removed these requirements to the point that now, even a fully equipped SAT truck can (and is) operated by unlicensed (and usually poorly trained) newsroom staff.

I don't believe it is simply the posession of a 1st class (or now GROL) FCC issued license that prevents this type of tragedy.

Rather, it is my opinion that the vast majority of men and women who pursue this level of licensing are inherently more thoughtful in how they go about doing their work. Unfortunately, those who hold these license are considerably higher on the pay scale, meaning that the costs to produce the news using this type of staff are much higher.

I think the drivers of SAT trucks are still subject to DOT commercial licensing requirements, however the vans that are used most often with the telescoping masts are not. Therefore any numbskull who wants to be a news guy (or gal) - and is willing to succumb to the everpresent pressure to produce news faster (and cheaper) - will do exactly that, at the expense of the safety of all those around.

I have heard of one female news reporters being killed simply because she had placed her hand on the door to steady herself while using the vehicle mirror, at teh same time the dipshit "Tech" who was setting up the truck ran a telescoping mast up into HV distribution.

Dumb shit couldn't be bothered to look up long enough to spare his co-workers life.

What I find most frightening of all though is the fact that these tragedies are RARELY given the amount of press attention that they deserve. Probably for the obvious reason that those who create this mess are in control of the eventual message we hear - or in this case do not hear.