An Open "Thank-You" to Our Local Media

Yesterday, multiple emergency services agencies from across Pennington County responded to a particularly dangerous and dynamic incident involving a fire at an ammunition manufacturing facility on the edge of the communities of Box Elder and Rapid City. There was a significant public impact and an abundance of danger for those nearby.

Today, I wish to take the opportunity to thank a group that provided a great deal of assistance with the incident that many times does not get the thanks that is deserved. The group that I'm referring to is our local media.

While some of my counterparts across the nation struggle with their media relationships, I enjoy my relationships with our media. We are all respectful of each other’s positions and responsibilities. I try to be aware of their needs and deadlines. They are almost always respectful of the fact that I may not be able to immediately get them what they need but will do my level best to try.

Yesterday, as the incident continued to unfold, our media did an outstanding job in being flexible. In particular, I was very pleased with their patience as we moved staging locations multiple times. As we worked to evacuate businesses and close roads, local media outlets did a great job of helping to disseminate that information. Today, I have spent considerable time wading through the accumulation of articles, videos and social media pieces covering the incident. I honestly feel as though the local media did great work in finding a balance between telling the story and providing public safety information.

Again, on behalf of myself and the Rapid City Fire Department as well as the agencies involved in yesterday’s response, thank you to our local media for your professionalism and for your hard work. It did not go unnoticed.

-Lt. Jim Bussell

Public Information Officer

Rapid City Fire Department