The Wellstone Plane Crash

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The Wellstone Plane Crash
Meeting the Media in the Middle of Nowhere
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Remote Crash Site

• The only way to get to the site.

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Impossible to Use Typical Rescue Vehicles

• Muddy bog terrain.

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Protective Gear Required

• 15 minutes to travel 300 yards.

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Heavily Wooded Crash Scene

• The picture the media was clamoring for.

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Only One Man for the Job

• Me.

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Initial Decisions

• Find location for first official news
  conference Eveleth Airport hangar.
• Minimize too many talking heads.
• Schedule first briefing alert statewide media.

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When the Story Broke

• Everyone was talking.

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Initial Decisions

• Determine who would speak at briefing, meet
  prior. (County sheriff, commissioner of Public
  Safety, FBI).
• Hold initial briefing 27 TV cameras 10
  stills Unknown number of print reporters.

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Next Steps

• Make contact with NTSB
• Coordinate procurement of daily briefing
  location nearby Days Inn.
• Work with NTSB on media briefing alerts.

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Let Carol Carmody Take Over

• Acting Chair -- NTSB

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The Crash Site
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The Crash Site
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The Crash Site
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The Crash Site
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The Crash Site
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The Crash Site
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The Crash Site
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Questions?