The city's portable TriCaster production studio from NewTek has powered the channel's entire daily production schedule, live news updates and council meetings since DMTV7 moved out of city hall. That schedule has included three press conferences and two thirty to sixty minute daily shows to keep residents abreast of flood-related developments.
Press conferences have included addresses from Governor Chet Culver, Mayor Frank Cownie, Polk County Supervisors, as well as updates from the Emergency Operations Center, comprised of officials from fire, police, civil engineers, public works, Red Cross, etc.
"TriCaster has been an asset to those trying to safeguard life and property under unpleasant and unsure circumstances," said Amelia Hamilton-Morris, chief communications officer for the City of Des Moines. "In fact, we've heard that people watching our TriCaster-powered channel have had no idea we are not in our normal studio. We're looking to include TriCaster in our new studio update when we settle back in to City Hall."
"In times of crisis, there is much information that needs to go out to the public and traditional broadcast outlets just can't give the necessary amount of airtime. Technology like TriCaster allows city governments and first responders to broadcast emergency information 24/7," said Philip Nelson, senior vice president of strategic development for NewTek. "Adding in the flexibility to broadcast on television/cable, web stream and digital signage, more people can be reached when it really counts."
