How do the journo's find out you ask???
Well up here they have advanced scanning equipment and aviation frequencies programmed so they listen, hear and dont have to pay anyone!
Then they ring the nearest emergency service at just about the most inconvenient time possible (when the dispatcher is trying to get crews to the scene) and given most news media organisations seem to have more resources available to them thus explaining why they are invariable on scene almost instantaneously and able to get the "live to the minute and in your face reports"
thats one way the news guys get the information you often see and read...
great post stallie .... you missed you calling!
