By Audrey Fraizer
The Journal depends on many willing to enhance the publication.
In addition to compelling content from three staff members (Mike Rigert, Heather Darata, and me), we look to the outside contributions of our editorial board and readers.
As the managing editor, I couldn’t ask for better associates.
Mike has an extensive editorial background and, similar to Heather—copy editor par excellence—is tenacious in his approach to editorial style. Heather and Mike enjoy long talks about proper grammar, punctuation, and the Associated Press Stylebook. The AP Stylebook is the reference guide for the mass media industry.
Mike has also taken on the tasks of tracking deadlines and notifying us when the calendar changes due to competing assignments or projects that demand quick turnaround. Mike’s a master at that and maintains his cool despite the juggling of his many job demands.
As mentioned, Heather is perfection in copy editing. She cares deeply about presentation and accuracy. When her schedule permits—which is limited since she edits a variety of things—she writes the occasional Your Space story. She’s very good. I don’t question her expertise.
Heather, Mike, and I aren’t alone in carrying The Journal, IAED- newsletters (ACE and QTips), and the recently added social media component.
Lauren Packer masters Twitter, Facebook, blogging, and the LinkedIn dimensions required in today’s fast-access news environment. Lauren’s NAVIGATOR blog features 28 interviews she recorded while at NAVIGATOR 2014; she tweets at least once daily.
Our indispensible editorial board consists of the experts in emergency communications (easily more than 100 years of combined experience in the comm. center). Board members provide feedback on how we’re doing, what we could be doing better, recommendations for articles, and reliable sources for us to contact. They write columns, feature stories, and continuing dispatch education articles. They are frequently called upon to check technical accuracy.
There are others in the mix such as Cynthia Murray, assistant editor and Research & Standards proofreader, who gives our CDEs a thorough review and, of course, our graphical design team who makes The Journal eye-catching and appealing to our readers.
Finally, and most importantly, we have the contributions of our readers. We are always in the market for your insight and perspective to sweeten the pot of our publications. Top on our list—at this time, anyway—is finding an EMD, EFD, or EPD willing to write a regular column for The Journal. If you want more information about the column or if you have suggestions for stories, contact us at editor@emergencydispatch.org.
We look forward to hearing from you.
