Fire Photography

[davis5karla]

I am a FF wife who follows the Fireman on calls and takes pictures. I use my pictures for slideshows to get Community involvement. The Firefighters are wanting to use my photos as an aid for training, but I do not know any rules as to how close I can get and what shots not to shoot. Is there a written protocol on such things?

Thanx!

[codeblue81]

Uh-Oh!!!

HIPAA, HIPAA!!!

Sorry, just had to. The main thing that I would watch out for would be photographing any kind of medical/trauma pts. I also suggest you talk to other dept.s around your area that does the same thing. Also contact your states Fire Marshall's office and state training org. They should be able to point you in the right direction.

code_blue81

[mark440]

Use common sense & good judgement. If you were ill or injured, would you want your photo snapped? Probably not. I'm not sure that HIPAA would really affect this, since it would be used in training and furthering education of medical responders. I'm not sure. That is something you'll have to do your homework on.
As far as fire & other emergency incidents... good quality action photos. Maybe a progression of photos (ie: Arrival of 1st due units, progression of conflgration to need a 2nd alarm.) Whether they admit it or not, Firefighters like to see themselves in action!
I think what you do is excellent. Just be cautious of your own safety!


*Mark

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Random thoughts:

1. HIPAA probably doesn't apply if the pt. is in public. It's a news story at that point.

2. Your post doesn't indicate if you are a member, also. If not, make sure you get safety training and wear PPE that is clearly marked "PHOTOGRAPHER".

3. Be cognizant of crime scenes. If you are taking pictures at a scene where I am coming to conduct an investigation, you are going outside the fire lines. Also, cooperate with the investigating authorities if they ask to see or use your photos.

4. Use digital photography. It's much easier to construct a slide show and cheaper in the long run.

5. Photography is a powerful tool, that has many uses in training, post-incident critique and marketting. Good luck.

[davis5karla]

Thanks for all the help - ya'll have brought up some things that I didn't think about. (i.e. crime scene - never thought about that) I at one time was given the go ahead to take shots of pt.s, (as long as they are in public) but I am still not comfortable doing that, I will take a shot of a pt. on the board, if a medic is in the way of their face and upper body. But I guess because I have had NO formal training of any kind, I have no idea what HIPAA is. Can someone explain?

[NJFFSA16]

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996

http://aspe.hhs.gov/admnsimp/pl104191.htm

[FireRescue1307]

Yeah!!!
I admit it!
I like seeing my pic in the paper, but that photographer is never around when I need fame. So....I take the pics of our scenes myself, I can just never get anyone to photo me...Hum......

Seriously, thanks for your photography work and your committment to your husband and his job. Just be safe and the others will direct you to the good shots or help you get them if it is too dangerous for you to snap a few close ups. Just ask them.

[dragonfyre]

IFSTA has a great manual on fire photography. I use is as a basis for the Fire Photography class I teach.

It would be worth it for you to get it, read it and practice it. There are a lot of good points as to what and what not to shoot.

Best point I can give you is to always shoot the crowd. It could be useful if you start to have an arson problem.

[Trafficjockey93]

OUTSTANDING!!!!!
Glad you take an interest in your husbands other career.(just assuming he is a vollie)
If you haven't done so already you should join the Fire Dept also. This way you can legally be on scene and go where others can't.
Wear PPE, The full set. With appropriate markings identifying you as a photographer. Use common sense when on scene. Your husbands brothers and sisters will help guide you when on scene. Use a little bit of discretion when photographing PT's, protect thier modesty.
Kepp your wits about you and stay aware of the situation and what is going on around you. Don't get so caught up in the picture taking you put yourself in harms way.

[davis5karla]

Forgive me - I have not been on this website since the end of June. So much has happened. At our bi-monthly meeting, the Volunteer Fire Dept. (that my husband is a member of) voted and asked me to be a member of the Fire Dept. I accepted. This makes me extremely proud.
Also, I have found that when we go on Medical calls and there is not much for me to take pictures of, I really enjoy helping out. We have a nursing home in town that we are first responders to, and they don't like it when I go in there and start taking pictures. Of course, the only thing I am qualified to do is relay messages, and run back and forth to the box with needed supplies, and sometimes I can visit with the older patients to get their mind off of what the medics are doing.
Anyway, I am now signed up for a ECA course and I am SSOOO excited. I am still not trying to be a firefighter or even a true medic, but if I am going to be on a scene, I feel like I should at least know what the medics are doing and how to help, or when to stay the heck out of the way!
Thank you all for being so kind in responding to my post. I am still researching what pictures to take and the angles to take them from and working with all types of lighting. I am truly going to see if I can find that book, sounds like what I have been looking for. I want to make our boys look good!!

Thanks for all your help!

[Weruj1]

heres a GREAT place for FF pics ! http://www.firstduephotos.com/