Duly Authorized Representatives of the Media shall be permitted access to impacted areas after being advised of the existing dangers and when such entry will not interfere with the duties of law enforcement or fire personnel.
The dangers involved in entering an Impacted Area should be made clear to Duly Authorized Representatives of the Media prior to their entry into Impacted Areas. The incident commander has the authority to close an Impacted Area and to bar the public; however, all Duly Authorized Representatives of the Media are exempt from this restriction. It is the incident commander's responsibility to ensure compliance with California Penal Code section 409.7.
Department members are not required to escort Duly Authorized Representatives of the Media into an impacted area. However, Department members shall not decline to effect the rescue of such media representatives if necessary.
When working with other agencies (such as the National Guard) in securing Impacted Areas, Department members will make every reasonable effort to inform those other agencies of the right of access for Duly Authorized Representatives of the Media.