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If, while surfing the Web, you come across an article or information on the Inter- net that would be of interest to your mem- bers, put a hyperlink in the newsletter that takes the member to that Web site. We have links to the National Fire Academy, state and federal agencies, and other fire depart- ments. This helps expand members' expo- sure to new fire service information and trends. Members might also see that some of the changes in your department are simi- lar to those of other fire departments nation- wide. As a newsletter is expanded, it can include features on building preplans, inci- dent summaries, and video links providing personal messages to the members by offi- cers and city staff. Since its inception, our newsletter has been available only on the computers in the fire stations. Its popularity has far exceeded our expectations. To better serve our mem- bers, we recently moved the newsletter from a network computer to a Web server. Now, members can access our newsletter from home. Because of the sensitive nature of some of the information in our neWSlet- Yolunteers Corner ter, we added a user ID and password to restrict access to members only. Now mem- bers can stay in touch with what's happen- ing and check the work schedules 24 hours a day from the comfort of their home. TIPS FOR SUCCES S Here are some tips on how to make your on-line newsletter a success. /nteractive communication is key. Unless members can respond and provide feed- back, a computer-based newsletter allows only one-way communication. Personal interaction and face-to-face contact are still essential. The newsletter does not eliminate the need for quality faCe- to-face communications with members. Membership, officer, and committee meet- ings and-most importantly-personal interaction are still needed. Maintain an��nVmily and coitfldenli[tiilV. If using the newsletter for rumor control, do not reveal the name of the member who reported the rumor. There's no need to list the names of the members who are posing the questions. Other members may see the person asking a question as a trouble maker or a snitch. Also, members may stop asking questions. Don't kill the messenger. If using the newsletter to quash a rumor, don't take your fiustrations out on the person who reported it. Praise the person for having the guts to raise the question. If he didn't bring the rumor to your attention, it would still be cir- culating, misleading members. Don't use the newsletter as a personal forum for your opinions. Hold your emo- tions in check regarding what and how you write about topics in the newsletter. This is sometimes hard, especially if you're address- ing a rumor that is way out in left field or, worse, involves you personally. Don't use the newsletter as your personal forum for your opinions. Provide honest, uccurute information. Remember, since this is a written document, it can be printed and saved and can come back to haunt you for a long, long time. If you don't know the answer to a question or if you're not able to give a complete answer, say so. The mcmhcrs will appreciate your honesty. ■ A Light Wei ht-'', g Rescue Tool That Rea 11� "The Right Combination For Life" 800-394-5118 ue Tool Works � � PH EN X 'RESCUE EQUIPMENT' �tto://www. phoenixrescue.corrm For More Facts Circle 109 on Reply Card 14 ]une 200 1 FIRE ENGINEERING r'� �::>,a� ��