Keeping the media and community safe during COVID-19, JMRC hosts virtual media day

Photo By Sgt. Audrequez Evans | U.S. Army Col. Joseph Hilbert, Commander of Operations Group, participates in JMRC’s first Virtual Media Day, at Hohenfels, Germany on April 9, 2020. The media day was put on to give insight to local media on how the Hohenfels community members are implementing and ensuring protective measures/ standards are being met, to combat COVID-19 and keep a ready and resilient force. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Audrequez Evans)  

HOHENFELS, BY, GERMANY

04.13.2020

Story by Joyce Costello 

Joint Multinational Readiness Center

HOHENFELS, Germany- During a crisis, one of the key aspects for commanders is to make sure they are informing the community with the maximum information and minimum delay. When there is a pandemic such as COVID-19 – this form of communication tends to no longer be face-to-face, but rather online. Traditionally, military public affairs offices will send out a press release to provide updates to the local media. However, JMRC’s operations group commander, Col. Joseph Hilbert wanted to be able to have a more interactive forum to answer questions by the media. Hence, he decided to do a virtual media day with the media in the surrounding area.

“I wanted to be able to highlight all of the preventative and protective measures that were taking place on the Hohenfels Training Area, but it wasn’t possible to try to bring media onto the installation given the social distancing guidelines and Bavarian government rules about gatherings,” said Hilbert.

One way to overcome this challenge was to host an online web conference that would allow the command a chance to show what was happening while giving the media a chance to ask questions while remaining safe.

“We have many measures that we do from the moment someone comes to the gate and through what happens while on the installation and we wanted to show the local media that we are doing whatever we can to keep each other safe. Because we are all one community in this fight against COVID-19,” said Hilbert.

In order to virtually show the media what was taking place, combat camera and public affairs gathered video footage the day prior so it could be shared and discussed during the virtual event. However, in addition to showing what was happening, it was equally important to explain how different measures were being taken in conjunction with local authorities.

“I work very closely with the German gesundheitamt in the Neumarkt area to make sure that we are reporting any cases or issues to them in accordance with German law,” said Lt. Col. Samuel Preston, US Army Health Clinic Hohenfels commander. “I have had a long-standing relationship with the local German medical officials and I think it’s important that everyone in the community knows that we are not operating in a vacuum- we are all in this together.”

Embracing technology for a virtual media day was not without challenges as the public affairs team dealt with decreased bandwidth and audio feedback at times.

“Just as the Army says we should train as we fight, your team also has to be prepared for many different ways to address technical issues,” said Hilbert. “Overall though, this was a good opportunity to keep each other safe while still sharing information.”

With this initial trial of doing a virtual media day, it highlights future opportunities for doing it again when units travel from around the world to train at JMRC.

• Date Taken: 04.13.2020
• Date Posted: 04.13.2020 09:42
• Story ID: 367225
• Location: HOHENFELS, BY, DE