Traditional Media Outlets

The majority of your citizens use traditional media to gather their news and keep up with what is occurring locally, nationally and globally. Traditional media includes: television, radio, daily newspapers and community newspapers. These outlets have been staples in the homes longer than anyone in your community can remember. They are available to your citizens for small and sometimes no fees, making their availability and popularity endless to the greatest number of your customers.

Television

Access to television comes in several means. Local and national networks are available as a free service through a simple home antenna. In most instances, citizens are also able to subscribe to cable and satellite companies for a fee, which gives them access to hundreds of added channels. Many of these outlets are also available through Internet access as well.

Local Television
Building relationships with your local television contacts is critical to getting your valuable message to your target audience. This group includes members from all the major networks: ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. These contacts will be utilized for both interactions on the scene of emergency incidents as well as opportunities to be featured on the various news shows these networks produce and broadcast seven days a week.
Public Television
Public television stations can be a valuable partner for your department, but usually do not include local or “Breaking News” type of programming. They are more suited for public interest and public education programming, both of which can be used to promote your organization and to broadcast valuable public fire safety information.
Network Television
Cable Television

Radio

Radio is distributed in two major modes: broadcast and satellite. Most of your citizens will listen to local broadcast radio on a daily basis. Statistics tell us that 85% of your citizens will listen to the radio every day, with them listening to an average of six stations each day. Many people listen to satellite radio also. With citizens spending so much time listening to the radio, this medium is an excellent venue to use to provide and promote valuable department information to the community.

Daily Newspapers

Your community’s local daily newspaper has most likely been around for decades and is the the medium many of your citizens consult for their local news, many times first thing in the morning. The local newspaper is an excellent venue to report the emergency incidents your department responds to as well as all the other activities your department offers to the community.

Community Newspapers

Most jurisdictions have a community newspaper. Depending on the population, some larger jurisdictions may have more than one paper. Many communities with extremely large neighborhoods or divese geographic areas have more than one community newspapers. Regardless of the size of your community, these community newspapers are very popular and are an excellent medium to pass on timely and critical department information. Promoting department events, recruiting new members, promoting fund drives and passing on public safety messages are just a few examples of how your department can effectively utilize these valuable publications.