by California Casualty | Homeowners Insurance Info, News |
We’ve been keeping a close eye on the wildfires raging in Colorado.
This is for a couple reasons. First and foremost, we like to know what’s happening in the ‘fire world.’ We have a big network of Firefighters and we work to stay in tune with what’s going on in their professional worlds. It’s part of the whole ‘understanding your profession’ promise. The better we know you and what you are up against, the better we can support you.
So, we’ve been watching. Updating our ‘Thank You Firefighters’ twitter account with updates on the multiple fires raging across the country and the brave men and women out there fighting them- even as their own homes burn down.
It’s personal for us. We work with these firefighters.
This week, it got even more personal.
One of our service centers is in Colorado Springs.
As those of you in the area, or following the fires, know: The Waldo Canyon Fire is getting close to the Colorado Springs area. As it moves towards homes, fanned by heat and dry conditions, some Colorado Springs residents are being evacuated from their homes.
Our employees included.
This is the view from our service center:
Here in Kansas City, we know a thing or two about seasonal extreme weather.
Tornadoes? Raised with ’em. Ice storms? Sheltered ’em. Snow storm? Expect ’em.
But fires?! Wayyy out of our comfort zone.
So as we’ve followed the fires, some of the issues surrounding them are completely foreign to us.
For example: Media coverage of active wildfires.
If you can’t tell by now, I like to read Fire blogs. I’m a total social media nerd.
And a LOT of the Fire bloggers are not happy with the media stations in the areas surrounding these fires.
Why?
Because of pictures like this.
Some media stations are running footage–especially footage captured from the air–of actively burning homes.
The major risk? That families will find out that their home-their memories-have burned to the ground by watching the news.
Now, this is a complicated issue.
As a journalist by training, I know that whatever you shoot from the air is (legally speaking) usually fair game.
But what about ethically? Do people deserve to be alerted about the fate of their homes BEFORE they see the emotional footage on air? Can you imagine turning on the news after dinner, only to see your house engulfed in flames?
I can’t imagine.
So, we’re asking you. Where do you fall on this side of the debate? To air or not to air?
And of course, our thoughts go out to ALL of those affected–nationwide–by this devastating wildfire season. Please keep the safety of our firefighters in your thoughts, along with all of those displaced by these fires.
Update:
Here is a new series of pictures, showing the effect the wind changing has…
by California Casualty | Educators |
Part of the beauty of the blog world is the opportunity to bring people together, to help facilitate the sharing of ideas and resources.
This is especially true among our Education bloggers. While our Police, Fire and EMT, and Nurse bloggers also share resources and mostly support, educators love to share actual lesson plans, teaching ideas, and other day-to-day resources.
And the blog world is the perfect place to bring teachers who all teach a specific grade level or specific class together to really target the sharing.
This is especially true of today’s blog: An education blog about Special Education.
Today’s TOP EDUCATION BLOG is…
A Special Kind of Class.
Amanda from A Special Kind of Class is a Special Ed Teacher and rockstar blogger.
Not only does Amanda have awesome experience-driven tips for special ed teachers, but she also has great general teaching ideas and resources for all educators (like adorable Father’s Day presents).
And she catalogs it all with great pictures.
Like most of our Battle of the Bloggers, Amanda’s blog is a testament to her multi-tasking skills. She participates in Book Clubs with other bloggers and maintains a great TeachersPayTeachers site where you can buy some of her original teaching resources.
Want to know more about A Special Kind of Class? Here’s our Q&A with Amanda:
How would you describe your blog? It’s a blog about the life of a special education teacher.
What is the focus of A Special Kind of Class? I hope to give tips to teachers for working with special needs students. All the products I made can be adapted and I show how I do it.
Why did you first start it? There were not a lot of special education blogs out at the time. I didn’t have anywhere to go to for teaching ideas for my population so I thought I would write it myself.
How long have you been blogging? Just over a year.
What’s your favorite thing to write about? Adaptations I make.
How would you describe your blog ‘community’? I am surrounded by a group of other teacher bloggers that are wonderful in supporting others that are just starting out. They welcome everyone, share tips etc.
What has been your best experience as a blogger? Finding other teachers with classes like mine that want to share and learn for each other.
What have you learned? That I’m not alone teaching the children that I’m teaching.
If you win Battle of the Blogs, to which charity will you donate your $200 winnings and why? The Starlight Foundation because they grant wishes to families and children with disabilities.
Is there anywhere else on the web we can keep up with you? Yes, Facebook.
Want to check out some of the tips on A Special Kind of Class? Click here! To vote for your favorite education blog, click here!
by California Casualty | Peace Officers |
It’s Monday. And Mondays usually elicit the usual the-weekend-is-over-time-for-a-full-workweek sigh.
So today we are excited to not just profile a TOP LEO Blog, but also give you something to look forward to on Mondays!
Today’s Top Blog is…
The 5-2: Crime Poetry Weekly Blog!
First things first. What is The 5-2? The 5-2 is a blog (duh) that updates every week and brings you poetry written by members of law enforcement. That’s right: Crime poetry. We thought this was such an amazing way to give LEOs an outlet, a way to express the often inexpressible happenings of their day-to-day duties.
So, what does this have to do with Mondays? Good question. The weekly part of The 5-2 comes on Monday. That’s when Gerald So, writer and blog maintainer, updates the site. So if you have the Monday blues, here’s something for you to look forward to!
As usual, we caught up with Mr. So to hear more about this very unique LEO blog. Here’s what he has to say about The 5-2…
What is the primary focus of The 5-2? To publish an all-new crime-themed poem each Monday year-round.
Why did you start it? The 5-2 evolved from a print chapbook series I published called The Lineup: Poems on Crime. The Lineup unfortunately didn’t get much distribution before it became too costly to continue printing. By contrast, I can maintain The 5-2‘s quality presentation without printing costs.
How long have you been blogging crime poetry? The blog has tracked The Lineup’s progress since February 2008. It has featured The 5-2‘s all-new poetry since September 12, 2011.
If this isn’t your first blog, how long have you been blogging? I started my first blog in 2004.
What’s your favorite thing to write about? Memories.
Do you have a least favorite? Reality television.
Tell us a little bit about your blog ‘community’ … My blog community is mostly mystery/crime writers and readers. I’m surprised and glad to have met them through my blogs and email discussion lists.
If you win Battle of the Blogs, to which charity will you donate your $200 winnings? The American Red Cross.
Is there anywhere, other than the blog, that we can keep up with you on the web? On my Twitter account.
Want to check out some of The 5-2‘s Poetry? Click here! To vote for your favorite LEO blog, click here!
by California Casualty | Educators |
When I’m not busy finding, reading and writing blog posts, I also love to interact with our network of teachers on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
And recently I’ve noticed a topic of conversation that comes up over and over again– no matter which social media site teachers are using to interact.
Education and Technology.
As we transition into a world of smart phones, tablets, and social media, teachers are doing what they do best: learning about it. They are then taking what they learn and applying it to the classroom. And best of all?
They are helping each other adapt. They are all learning and teaching technology together.
Sharing their pins, retweeting advice, blogging their experiences.
It is such a cool process to watch.
So today, I am so excited to profile a blog that specializes in the Education Technology world. Today’s TOP EDUCATION Blog is…
Drape’s Takes.
This is Darren Draper. The man behind the blog.
Darren Draper is a Director of Education Technology.
And he asks this question:
His answer?! It doesn’t. His blog talks about how to use technology to make school interesting, fun and engaging.
Or, as he says:
So we caught up with Darren to learn MORE about Drape’s Takes. Here’s what he had to say:
How would you describe your blog? My takes on items of interest in the world of educational technology.
What is the focus or mission of Drape’s Takes? I focus on that place where education and technology collide – and what happens when it does or doesn’t.
Why did you start it? I started it as a personal space for reflection.
How long have you been writing Drape’s Takes? Since 2007.
What’s your favorite thing to write about? Controversial topics where I know I’m probably in the minority.
Do you have a least favorite? Technology tools.
Tell us a little bit about your blog ‘community’ … I love getting comments from people I’ve not yet met – that really make me think and consider the world through a new lens.
What has been your best experience as a blogger? Thinking deeply with others I’ve never met.
What have you learned? I’ve learned that most people that comment on my blog are earnestly looking for truth.
If you win Battle of the Blogs, to which charity will you donate your $200 winnings and why? Canyons Education Foundation because they provide scholarships to students and technology grants to teachers.
So, want to hear some of Drape’s Takes on all things education and technology? Check out his blog HERE! Then, go vote for your favorite education blog here!
by California Casualty | Firefighters |
Could it be so? Another GREAT EMT Blogger?
Yes, yes. Yet again, we have found a fun blog authored by a female paramedic.
Today we are profiling another TOP FIRE & EMT Blog!
Parapup.
Parapup (the blogger) describes herself as, “A bright-eyed blond thought she could save the world, so she went to paramedic school.” And now she’s taking you along while she learns as she goes.
This blog is a great place to read about the day-to-day experiences of a paramedic. Parapup is a very funny, honest blogger who doesn’t mind telling things like they are. Learn more about her! Here’s our Q&A:
How would you describe your blog? A collection of largely longwinded ruminations.
What would you say is the mission of Parapup? I generally prefer to write about things that make me laugh.
Why did you start it? I ran my first priority call as a paramedic and I was ready with my cape flapping in the wind. Everything went wrong, but at least the patient lived. That story practically told itself.
How long have you been writing on Parapup? About three years. I have another blog I write on from time to time about non-EMS things.
What’s your favorite thing to write about? I love writing about things that make me laugh. I love to go on long tangents and pour my soul into a piece. I love using my lexicon to try to explain complicated emotions and thoughts. I just hate that it takes so long to sit down and pump out the words.
What is blog ‘community’ around Parapup like? I love the community with whom I write. It’s full of awesome folks. They’ll make you laugh, cry, and get mad. They welcomed me with open arms. From my first Word Press emergency to my spontaneous email interview about mustaches, my fellow bloggers have been awesome.
What has been your best experience as a blogger? I love when my readers email me. I have readers that are incredibly thoughtful and some that are downright hilarious. I haven’t had any hate mail, yet. I figure I’ll know I’ve made it one day when I get hate mail.
What have you learned? I have learned to channel my emotions through my writing. It’s how I get the demons out.
Any great stories you’d like to share? I once had a reader tell me that he had been scared to enroll in an EMT class because he didn’t think he had what it took, despite that he was passionate about EMS. He read a story I wrote about a mistake I made, and opted to enroll. My words changed someone’s career path. How cool is that?
If you win TOP Fire & EMT Blog, to which charity will you donate your $200 winnings and why? At my agency, we have a benevolent fund that helps out when people get seriously hurt or ill.
Want to know more about Parapup? You can read her blog here or keep up with her on Facebook. To vote for your favorite FIRE & EMT Blog, click here!
