Fires break out daily. Not all are worth covering. But those that involve major damage and/or result in injury or loss of life are. The public needs to know about events in the community.

In the following simulation, you'll find yourself in the role of a police reporter for Freeport News assigned to cover a fire. You'll face a variety of decisions and challenges. After doing your reporting, you'll write and file a news story.

Before you go to The Freeport News, you will need to do some background readings covering the basics of reporting a fire. This will take you at least 30 minutes. You'll also need to take and pass (at least 60% correct) a test on grammar and math for reporters. The test won't likely take more than a few minutes, but it is important to make sure you'll do well as a reporter assigned to cover a fire. On the left-hand side of your screen there is a box that contains all the necessary background readings and the math and grammar quiz. Once you have passed the quiz, you may proceed to Freeport News by simply clicking on "I'm ready to go to Freeport News" located on the right side of the screen under the fire footage.

In covering the story, you'll need to keep in mind that you are on deadline. Every decision and action that you take will use up time. You have to make your deadline, or risk being placed on probation on your new job.

The main sections of the simulation are:

1. Introduction
2. Freeport News
3. The Police Beat (2 hour deadline begins)
4. Covering the Story
5. Lead and Story Structure
6. About the Lead
7. Writing the Story (Where the story is filed)

The horizontal menu at the top of your screen identifies these areas.

Many parts of the simulation will involve audio and video (indicated on screen with QuickTime ™ slider and controls), but other parts will require you to do some reading. Other parts will require you to click on screen to make choices or to enter information, and finally write your story and file it with Freeport News. Be sure to reference the help area located at the bottom right of the screen for any questions and the necessary technical requirements to run this simulation.