Worst news conference ever

[LVSteve]

Back in June a huge apartment complex under construction caught fire and multiple buildings burned down. The fire even jumped the freeway causing a closure until they got that knocked down.

This morning the Clark County Fire Department (CCFD) decided to have a news conference on the incident, which a local TV station decided to take live. What does the fire chief do? He starts reading a monologue from the incident logs, and after 5 or 6 minutes the local TV cuts away because there is nothing of any interest being said, unless you are a firefighting geek. We haven't even touched on the investigation as to how the fire started, which is really all we want to know.

I'm thinking of calling (CCFD) and suggesting they create a post of communications director to help at least structure what the fire chief is going to say, if not present on his behalf. Sad to say the fire chief isn't doing CCFD any favors as he has one of those monotone voices suggesting a charisma bypass. I'm sure he's a perfectly nice guy and good at doing stuff related to fires, but it's pretty clear public speaking isn't in his repertoire. What makes it really noticeable is that one of his predecessors was particularly good when facing the media.

 

[Nevada Ed]

It is an art to learn how to speak in front of people.

The Toastmasters, is a great group to get with, for those that might want to make a speech , some day.

I might also add, that using the words, Um, er, and ah, show a lack of train of thought and preperation in your presentation.

I learned a lot from the course from Columbia school of broadcasting, when I was young, and tried a set of "Tin cans" back in the 60's.

Some people just hurt your ears, when they talk.

 

[LVSteve]

Via another source, I have discovered the result of the fire investigation. The cause of the fire is "undetermined". Putting that up front as the primary piece in the news conference could have saved the chief a lot of standing around and waffling.

Color me not exactly shocked by the result of the investigation. The fire was truly massive such that its heat damaged at least two fire trucks, rendering one of them inoperative. I should imagine the heat would do a good job of destroying any evidence of a dubious cause.

 

[waffles]

Saw the title and thought this was gonna be a Bud Dwyer thread. Hard for a news conference to go worse than that.

 

[rwsmith]

It's a real waste of time...

...listening to somebody talk that isn't saying anything. It seems to happen more nowadays.

 

[steelslaver]

At least he didn't just tell tall tales that his supporters want to hear.

 

[swsig]

...listening to somebody talk that isn't saying anything. It seems to happen more nowadays.

Ever listened to a news conference by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones? He loves the limelight, and he talks and talks and talks, but he never says anything.

 

[steelslaver]

His mouth keeps moving, but, not a thing gets said.