Editor’s note: Chief Adam K. Thiel takes a serious look at a lighter side of firefighting and asks where fire departments need to draw the line when looking for creative means to get their message to the public, yet remain professional.
Perhaps not surprisingly, given the rapid rise in popularity of PSY’s “Gangnam Style” song/video (yes, I watched it before this edition hit the FireRescue1 website), the South Baldwin Volunteer Fire Company’s version has inspired a lot of views and a lot of comments.
It’s also not a surprise that readers have different perspectives on whether or not the concept and execution are appropriate for the fire and emergency services.
If you check out YouTube, preferably from a non-government-owned/operated computer, you’ll quickly notice a couple things: believe it or not, there are people who don’t like the original video; and everybody from U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen to both U.S. Presidential candidates have been, uh, “featured” (or parodied) in “Gangnam Style.”
So, I think people get the joke.
Moreover, we’re probably not going to get our fire-prevention (or fundraising, in some cases) messages through to all of our target audiences with elevator music, coloring books and fire photos. Not everyone is fascinated by “big fire, big water.
But doing it “Gangnam Style?” How many people, within and beyond Pennsylvania, benefited from watching this video?
At the same time, we are constantly reminded that we are held to higher standards than members of the general public and most other governmental organizations.
What’s the answer?
It probably depends on your department, community and membership norms. In my department, this would likely cause a problem.
Is there a way to have fun, be creative, deliver our messages and still be viewed as “professional” and “appropriate?”
I don’t know, but it’s probably not easy.
What do you think?
Stay safe!
