In October 2012, University of Oklahoma students, Josh Shockley and Zachary Strauss, and their media arts professor, Scott Hodgson, met UA student Ashley Swafford and myself at the Baltimore airport  for a two week documentation of what broadcasters along the east coast did to inform people about Hurricane Sandy. Our team of five followed the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy to capture broadcasters in action during one of the greatest tragedies to ever hit the East Coast. 33 interviews were shot in nearly 20 radio and TV stations across 5 states to allow these “first informers” to share what it takes to keep their audiences aware and safe.

 

During a House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management hearing on "FEMA Reauthorization: Ensuring the Nation is Prepared" on October 2, 2013, Maranatha Broadcasting Company's WFMZ-TV (Allentown, Pa.) President and General Manager Barry Fisher showed this video during his testimony. The overall video won a Silver Telly Award and an Award of Excellence in the promotional video category for the Broadcast Education Association. The videos debuted at the Newseum in Washington DC at the National Assocation of Broadcasters with legislators and broadcasters from around the country.