The Wetzel Tyler County Health Department realizing that communication is vitally important, conducted a seminar last Friday. The seminar was held at the health department offices in the former Paden City Elementary school.

In addition to the health department staff, members of the Wetzel County EMS services was present for the meeting. Ms. Carla McBee, Wetzel County Commissioner conducted the meeting. Chuck Clegg, staff reporter for the Wetzel Chronicle and Tyler Star news also participated in the meeting.

McBee presented a power point presentation, aiding participants in understanding the importance of the proper way to address the media. She pointed out the information that will be necessary to keep lines of communications open during a time of crisis. The same lines of communication are also important for distributing general information the department routinely wishes to provide to the public.

Chuck Clegg, writer for local media explained what information he needs to prepare his story. Who, what, when, where and why are important when providing information to the public. Transparency is also critical to the media process to keep proper information provided.

The group also discussed the roll social media information can play in todayás situation. That way transparency and facts provided by the proper agency is important to prevent any miss communication during any event.

As a final form of training, Carla McBee conducted on camera interviews with two staff members. Upon completion of the brief interviews, the video was given to the department to aid in understanding how the camera plays apart in any interview process.