Mark Bell's picture
ENGsafety.com
Mark Bell, President
Phone, toll free: 1-UR-SAFE-6090
Facsimile: (781)394-0762
Editor/Publisher - ENG Safety Newsletter
safety@engsafety.com
(photo courtesy of Michigan Assoc. of Broadcasters.)

    Mark Bell has been in various technical support roles during his 30+ years of work in television engineering/broadcasting.He worked on  on the conversion of Emerson College's television facility from black and white to color in the early 70's, then was involved on the first Boston based CBS News ENG crew in the mid 70's. Bell then worked in a TV station as an operations, then maintenance technician, and branched out on his own as a freelance technician in 1982, one of Boston's first. In that same year, Bell attended the NPPA NewsVideo Workshop to optimize his understanding of the techniques the Workshop is so famous for.
    In circumstances similar to that of so many others, Mark's career direction changed. He moved into areas which allowed him to become experienced in ENG as ENG trucks were being modified from the first primitive "tilt-up Goldenrod mast" vehicles to the sophisticated vehicles of today. Mark was also a pioneer in satellite broadcasting, operating early model satellite uplink vehicles, some on 40 foot tractor-trailers used for C-band event uplinking. His work also helped launch many corporate networks in the original Ku-band days. He developed techniques and created protocols for many first time satellite transmissions from all over the US for entertainment, sports, corporate programming and news information transmission.
    Mark's ability to perform equipment maintenance is another area of accomplishment he brings to the industry.  He still serves as a contributor to the great Television Broadcast magazine, now Digital Television, where his articles regarding many notable parts of our industry appear monthly. His four part series on ENG Safety in 1994, which exposed the need for safety training, is one of his more recognized accomplishments.
    In 1995, he was named a faculty member of the well regarded National Press Photographers Association News Video Workshop in Oklahoma.
    In 1996 Bell investigated and published information regarding premature headwear in broadcast VCR's which prompted the Sony Corporation to also investigate the issue, leading to massive product and warranty reforms.
    In 1997, after being promoted to Contributing Editor of Television Broadcast, he was the lead editor of the most comprehensive ENG safety report published to date; this time as a cover story and separate section in the October Television Broadcast. Bell was also given the honor of an invitation to his first LEVA (Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association) Conference, presenting information on equipment maintenance.
    1998 brought forth the NPPA's eight page ENG Safety publication, "Look up and Live" set for distribution to over 12,000 readers. It is the largest single mass distribution of safety material ever in the broadcast industry. Bell commented: "The importance of this large scale distribution is even with the importance of potentially life and business destroying ENG accidents which safety training helps avoid. There has yet to be a serious accident involving a properly trained and certified ENG operator, which means all incidents were somewhat destined to occur."
    1999 brought forth the birth of ENG SAFETY NEWSLETTER, a new and comprehensive means of educating and reminding all station employees about ENG Safety.
    In 2000, Bell added the ENG Safety Memo to the ENG Safety Newsletter. The memo is for those who already have a monthly newsletter and want a safety supplement, or would like a one-page sheet to post on a bulletin board.  Bell also started technical writing work under another company name, Technically Write!. He also shared in the "Award of Merit" from "Media Communications Association International"  for co-writing and co-producing (as well as appearing in) the most widely distributed safety videotape in broadcasting, "Safety is Good News," produced with Carissa Vanitzian of Phoenix's public power utility, "Salt River Project."
    2001 brought more of the same with presentations, papers, and keeping up with the 120+ subscriptions to the newsletter and memo. It's estimated that more than 3000 people read the newsletter each month, and well over 5000 have seen the awareness presentation! Bell spent a great deal of time presenting the safety message to all of the ABC Network O & O stations as part of an safety drive through their insurance carrier, CNA/RSKCo. The program was successful in getting the message to those behind the scenes in the newsroom, producers and desk folks, and expanded the scope of those included to reporters and anchors, who occasionally get out in the field for assignment. Many stated that they were happy to have received the safety awareness information.
    2002 has had its share of accidents, with 2 reported lightning strikes to ENG crews during the early summer mixed in with the typical mast topplings from clearance accidents or driving with the mast elevated, and some mast being raised in the wrong spots. More people than ever write Bell through the website for safety information, and station managers have been pleasantly responsive to his (and their employees) safety efforts at many stations.  The web name engsafety.info has also been purchased for use in the news truck safety info business by Mark Bell, and is linked to this engsafety.com page.
    2002 also brought forth one of the largest honors for Bell's work, as California passed legislation for training and equipping of news vehicles. Bell attended numerous historic hearings where manufacturers, lawmakers and safety officials met with members of California's safety standards board and had specific input into the rationale and creation of the now-signed-into law regulations. Bell's teachings are quoted in some passages of the law.
    At the end of 2002 and into 2003, Bell worked on the FAA's mandate for 100% baggage screening at US Airports, working as an on-the-job trainer/assessor of baggage screeners. He also attained expertise in equipment used for baggage screening. During this time he learned about terrorism, protocol with the general public when it comes to security measures, and a high level of security screening.
    July 2003 kicked off the 5th year of the ENG safety newsletter and pdf distribution of the successful monthly safety reminder.
    2004 brought forth both the surprise and honor of being named in the acknowledgment of Jonathan Higgins' book "Introduction to SNG and ENG Microwave for his contributions to the book.
    2005 was a slow year,  and that's a good thing in the safety business. So far, as of Thanksgiving, it's been a thankful year as crews and managers are hearing and heeding the messages of safety. The work goes on, and the ENG Safety Newsletter is still read by as many, or more than before, and the seminars are still popular. On and on we go!! A slow year is a good year.
   
    There will be more..............
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