Fireside Chat: An Interview with ERT's Commissioner Burke

[K. Ross]

*Sitting in the host's chair on set, a red suede chair by the fake electric fireplace, I look over the interview notes one final time and wonder why they asked me to do this.  Usually they ask one of the more experienced news team members to do these sit downs but somehow I got picked.  Guess they want to give me some experience.  Well so far my experience has been so-so at best.  The studio lights are blinding, the red stiletto heels I decided to wear today are making my feet sore, and it's getting hot in my beige dress suit.  Ok, maybe those complaints are minor but can we get this interview over with already?  It's nearly time to record this and I don't think he's showed yet.  Looking at my watch.*

'It's almost time.  Is he here? Was he even asked and did he even agree to this?'

*The all just look at me.  Guess they're in the dark as much as I am.*

'Great.'

[W. Burke]

*Running what feels like 16 hours late, I finally arrive. My original plan for a simple dress uniform was not quite the case. Two meetings about our friends in Kimberly again and a little set back in the EOC left me running late, and wishing I'd just worn the proper uniform to start. I arrive wearing a uniform thank god, but much less formal than what I expected for television. Whatever this might work good. As a station hand guides me in the direction of the studio where the interview is to happen. Why does PR decide that these are good events?

*I enter and the lights immediately spread their warmth on me. My clothing choice seems even less favourable now. I'm wearing the standard navy pants, with a pullover wool sweater, a white collared shirt that I managed to get a tie on just minutes before arriving. From the lack of hands picking at my uniform, it clearly isn't too disheveled. My cloth epaulet straps don't seem quite sturdy enough for the metal on the epaulets themselves, but at last, that is what we've agreed on for a uniform. 

*As I reach Ross, I extend my hand.*

'Good afternoon, thank you for waiting. I think my media department forgot about this or really doesn't like me. I had a few things on my schedule that I couldn't miss today. Thank you for having me.'

*She shakes my hand and we both sit down, after a warm smile from her showing she's not at all concerned, or at least pretending to feel that way.*

[K. Ross]

*Oh thank god he's here, it would've been hard to do this interview without him.  Getting up from my chair as he approaches we soon shake hands while he explain why he's late.*

'That's alright, glad you could join us here.'

*We both take our seats and I put away my notes on the table next to me.  As I cover up the notes with a copy of today's newspaper I hear the studio director start to say we're going live soon.*

'and we're live in 5... 4...'

*What? So soon, damn I thought we had more time than that.*

'3... 2... 1...'

*Looking into the camera with a smile I start to greet the audience watching.*

'Good evening and welcome to Fireside Chat.  I'm you're host today, Kendall Ross, and my guest with me today is the Commissioner of the Emergency Response Team, William Burke.   Even if you do not know what the Emergency Response Team is you've most certainly have seen them around the county whenever you see a County Fire truck, Sheriff's Vehicle, or even a county ambulance.  They're the ones that keep us safe and protected at night so Commissioner, thank you for joining us today.'

*Finishing my opening I worry a bit that my Aussie accent came out too thick there.  Oh well, nothing I can do about it if it did.*

[W. Burke]

*Live. Shit. I've really gotta fire my PR people. Flashing my warmest smile I answer back.*

'That's right Kendall, the Shiloh County Emergency Response Team is the official Emergency Management Organization for the county, and we work, either directly or indirectly, with every agency that responds to any emergency. If you see a red light flashing in this county, we're responsible for it.'

*County, twice. County, three times. Dammit. Really gotta watch where I'm going with this being live and everything.*

 

[K. Ross]

*As he makes his remarks I take the time to drink some water from my glass cup set on the table between us.  As he finishes I set down the glass.*

'Now you've been with the ERT since the late 80s.  Forty years is a long time, you've must've seen a lot.  What got you into the emergency services and what set you down the path to becoming Commissioner?'

[W. Burke]

'That's a good question. I guess like all kids, I wanted to ride in the fire trucks and race by in the police cars. I did a bachelors in business at Crescent Falls back in the 80s, but it just wasn't enough for me. I enrolled in the training program for the sheriff's department and was a deputy later that year. During my time with the SCSD I spent more time in school, completing the paramedic program and later, I completed a certification in management. At the time I was working for a position within the SCSD, aiming to join the newly formed forensic investigation division, and hoping to manage a team there. I actually earned my stripes, getting promoted to sergeant, but instead I was assigned to an emergency management position. As the ERT was still in its infancy, I was loaned to them on a secondment. At that time, each department had an emergency management liaison, now, that's something we coordinate out of the ERT itself, it's much more efficient, and it allows the county's taxpayers to get more bang for their buck. 

It wasn't long and I was a permanent employee of the ERT and in 2008, I was promoted to Commissioner  and have been happily serving the people of the county ever since. During my time from a deputy, right up until today, I've seen a lot of different things, had a lot of bad days, but a lot of happy endings. I take all that with me now to make sure that ERT and our sister agencies are able to respond when you're having your worst day, and we do so with full professionalism'

[K. Ross]

'Would you have any advice to the younger audience wishing to join the emergency services that you might like to offer now?'

[W. Burke]

'The world's changed. It's not as simple as showing up to your local station with a piece of paper application and getting on the team right away. Back in the 80's, I was the except to the rule, entering the department with a degree, now almost every new recruit holds an associate or bachelors degree. Find out what you want to do, and then find our your department's recruitment requirements. Within Shiloh, there's ample opportunities to join departments all across the county, including the ERT. Most people don't consider working directly with the ERT, and think that we hire directly from other departments, but that's not true. While most people currently with us did come from within the system, we are actually hiring right now for all levels of experience, in all sorts of emergency management roles.

The most important part to remember is that working in emergency services isn't a job, but something that defines your life. Most departments expect a high level of community service hours, and involvement, some actually require a set number every year, and almost every department requires volunteer experience within their community to join.'

[K. Ross]

'Alright, now I'd like to ask because of recent information coming to light.  An article written by a Mr. Franklin has recently exposed the possibility of the Fire Chief of Kimberly's Volunteer Fire Department possibly taking tax money for his own gain.  This has undoubtedly stirred up a new wave of concern and distrust from the county's population towards the emergency services.  Do you have any comments on this and do you have any concerns about the same thing happening within the Emergency Response Team from any of your employees?'

[W. Burke]

*Oh boy, my favourite department.*

'I'm familiar with that article, The ERT was made aware of these claims after publication, before such a time, nothing had been brought to our attention. The article did outline the ERT's contribution of approximately $40,000 a year, which is meant to subsidize part of the salary of a chief, as well as a portion of the equipment and training budgets. While we do work with the individual communities to ensure that disbursed monies are placed where they are required, and that disbursements are where they need to be in value, we do not make a practice of regularly auditing department's books.

'That said, with these accusations, our department liaison officer is working with our financial team and the Town of Kimberley to look into these allegations and immediately resolve them. As I said earlier, we want to make sure all of our departments are able to be there when you're having your worst day, and we want to be prepared to make it better. If these allegations are true, then we do indeed have an issue that needs to be addressed, and the ERT will absolutely work with all partners to ensure that this happens. 

'In regards to concerns in house about this, our financials are audited at the ERT each year by a third party, to ensure compliance, and are then approved by the County Board, as well as through FEMA, as we receive federal funding. As you can tell from some of our older vehicle, we don't exactly have a sparkling new fleet, but we do ensure that every one of our vehicles is completely up to snuff, and maintain a contingency fund to respond to any mechanical issues, including total replacement of any vehicle in our fleet. Our agency's purchases are all directed through the Quartermaster's office, who then proceeds to complete a proposal for our financial team, who ultimately sends that off to my office, where I meet with any departments or personnel involved and we'll either approve the purchase or deny it. 

'I'll just give an example, if that's alright.'

*Worried that this may be boring, but seeing Kendall nodding along, interested in seeing if she can get a scoop on ERT spending fuck ups, I continue*

'Last year our communications division put in a request for a new mobile command post. While our current one is completely functioning, it is aging. The Quartermaster's office received several proposals on costs to build a new unit, as well as upfitting our current one, and these costs were forwarded to the financial team who recommended against purchasing a new one in this calendar year, and instead working with a FEMA grant to replace our vehicle in the next year or so. We met with the directors and also a representative from the County Board to discuss this and ultimately decided that this would be placed on hold until funds became available to ease the burden of the taxpayers of the county. If something were to happen tomorrow, we do have a contingency fund to replace that vehicle, in full, however as it is still operational, we have not made any purchases yet.'

[K. Ross]

*Taking another sip of water while he's talking and putting it back down when the Commissioner is finished.*

'So nothing to be concerned about within your organization.  That's relieving to hear Commissioner.  Though I do understand that ERT has struggled over the past few years, for various reasons, thing do appear to be taking a turn for the better.  Do you think this current trend will continue for long?'

[W. Burke]

'Since I've assumed the role as Commissioner, we've had ups and downs, hell, we've even had a few people resign and start their own companies with the goal to take the ERT's mandate away, whether it's through provision of emergency manage services, or even emergency service contractors. We've withstood terrorist attacks, cyber attacks and even complete IT failures. What I'm trying to say Kendall is the ERT is resilient and we're not going anywhere. 

'We've got things in order, and we can thank our excellent leadership for that. I'd like to thank the men and women of the ERT and its agencies for ensuring that we can continue our services. We're starting a county wide hiring initiative, and there's positions in practically every agency, even our own. We have been growing as a county, and for that reason we need to grow to protect it.'

[K. Ross]

'So it's safe to say the ERT will be keeping us safe for a long time then.  That certainly puts my mind at ease.  You mentioned a hiring initiative and you may have indirectly answered this question already but how would one go about being hired by the ERT?'

[W. Burke]

'Directly into the ERT? Well, we look for specialists in all areas, but we also run the County's 911 System. There's currently an opening for a dispatcher in the 911 call center, as well as openings throughout our department including task force team members, as well as office and clerical staff. While each position requires different skill levels and abilities, almost every one shares a few requirements: You need to be of good moral character, able to have a flexible schedule to work around County Emergencies, and provide a letter of conduct from the Shiloh County Sheriff's Department. Each position will additional requirements listed on our website at ERT.gov. From this site as well, you can see other agency's hiring initiatives and how to join their departments, as well as the requirements for those positions.'

[K. Ross]

*Nodding along I wait for Burke to finish.*

'Alright, so that is ERT.gov so folks at home if you are desiring employment from the Emergency Response Team head on over to ERT.gov for more information.  Well, we're almost out of time but we have enough for one final question.  What do you see in ERT's future?'

[W. Burke]

'I'm looking forward to a more unified emergency service presence in this county. From the time we were first organized, we were starting with the goal to provide the citizens of Shiloh with a seamless emergency service system. I hope to expand the services that are offered to the citizens, as well as unify the system that provides them so that there is no disconnect between the 911 and the responders that all arrive.

[K. Ross]

'Sound great for ERT and the county as well'

*Seeing the studio director indicate we only have a few seconds left as he's counting down with his fingers I talk quick.*

'Well, that's all the time we have for today's Fireside Chat.  Coming up next after commercials Sandra will be making red velvet cupcakes in Sandra's Kitchen.  Once again Commissioner Burke, Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down with us and we hope you will sit down with us again in the future.'

*With a smile I wait until the studio director says we're off the air and I let out one big breathe of relief.  It's hot under these lights so I take off my blazer.*

'Thank you for joining us and I'm sorry if it felt like such a mess.  We're not usually this disorganized but the guy that usually does these interviews caught the flu and I suddenly got told I'm filling in and...'

*Realizing I'm saying too much I shut up.*

[W. Burke]

*I laugh, hearing Ross stumble over herself. Is it me, the stress or some combination thereof?*

'It's all good. If it helps, I literally found out about this last minute and wasn't sure if this was a friendly interview, or I should've expected a full sized BBQ for the grilling I would get!'

*I chuckle a little, hoping my attempt at humor doesn't fall on deaf ears.*

[K. Ross]

*Smiling from the joke.*

'Oh no, it's usually meant to be a friendly interview so it would not have been a full size barbie'

[W. Burke]

*Well, I did not expect a laugh. Maybe I am funnier than I thought.*

'Well, if you ever want to have another interview with maybe a little more planning on both our ends, give me a call' 

*With that, I pull out my business card holder and pass along one of the department business cards. Pointing to the bottom.*

'My direct line. I'd be more than willing to meet for future pieces if you're interested.'

 

[K. Ross]

*Taking the card*

'Thank you'

*Placing the card in my blouse pocket.  Wait, is he flirting with me?  Nah, probably not, he's probably just as flustered as I am due to how rushed the interview was.*

'Sure, would be great to do a proper interview with you in the future.'

[W. Burke]

'Well, like I said, give me a call sometime, about anything. Not every chat we have has to be a fluff piece about the ERT.'

*I chuckle once more before heading out. I'm sure not all the news I have today will be as good as this particular news was.*

[K. Ross]

*Smiling with a nod I say nothing except a sure and ok.  I'm not sure of what stories I could do but knowing that I can contact him would be beneficial should I ever think up something.  As he leaves I drape my blazer over my shoulder and leave the studio as make my way to my back to my cubical.*