Comments on: San Diego Firestorm and Communications

By: Brent Applegate

Brent Applegate — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:28:43 +0000

Hey Becky! I echo your sentiments that Consumer Generated Media was much more helpful than the endless parade of talking heads who, though well-meaning, provided much more in the way of emotion and sentiment, and much less in the way of useful info. I was glued to the KPBS Google Firemap, too. Cheers and Blessings! – Brent

By: Meikah Delid

Meikah Delid — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 07:01:10 +0000

Yes, Becky, am glad to know that you’re A-OK, too. *hugz* My gosh this fire is evil! Hope it will be contained soon and that those people who have lost their homes and have been displaced will not lose their spirit to move on. God bless you all!

By: Lewis Green

Lewis Green — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:25:12 +0000

Thanks Becky. Good information about the fires and how you are getting the news you need.

By: Tim Jackson

Tim Jackson — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 05:36:17 +0000

Becky, my friend, I’d forgotten you were in the area of the fires, but I am SO glad to hear you are ok. My aunt and uncle have/ had a home on Wildcat Canyon and were evacuated Sunday. We still don’t know if they have something to return to.

SO relieved to know you and your family are ok.

And yes, the traditional media has failed to step up. I applaud all of those who were smart and savvy enough to exploit the new media resources when they realized the “old way” wasn’t doing the job. Like you, I really comment KPBS. They have been great.

My heart goes out to all impacted by the fires. What a great community we have, with so many people stepping in to help so quickly. It’s very moving.

By: Becky Carroll

Becky Carroll — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:37:32 +0000

Dan, good to hear you are safe, too! Feet on the street can do a lot, and there are only so many resources for a disaster of this magnitude. Amazing what citizen volunteers can do.

And thanks for staying on topic. Have you started a blog yet??

By: danness

danness — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 03:16:40 +0000

Glad to hear you’re safe, Becky!
You’re so right about citizen journalism helping to dispel the confusion. There’s no replacement to feet on the street. The Flickr pool you mention has some stunning photos. They really show it like it is, including telling you where they were taken and when – critical when you’re trying to figure out if your or your friend’s house is in danger.
I was impressed, too, by the government service. Yes, government service might be called an oxymoron by some comedians, but the local folks really pulled through. (It’s probably off-topic to go into all the lightweight self-congratulatory FEMA, Federal, Gubernatorial, and other wonky cameos that were in the press conferences through the traditional media)
I had to rely on the web, too, during my evacuation. Many city websites were up-to-date with details about evacuation status.
KPBS also did a great job at putting together and maintaining an up-to-the-minute map that’s understandable.
Kudos to all those unsung (so far) heroes that have kept the damage to a minimum.