Veteran Denver Post reporter Ann Schrader was recognized today by the Emergency Services Public Information Officers of Colorado (ESPIOC) as the group’s Large Market Print Media Representative of the Year.
Schrader, who has been with The Post since 1979, covers Jefferson County for the newspaper and its online publication, .
ESPIOC is a group of professionals who serve as media contacts for police, fire and emergency service providers.
One of the public-information officers to nominate Schrader said Ann “has dedicated herself to work in Jefferson County for many years and has a wealth of knowledge about our area and the people here.”
A second nomination praised Schrader’s reporting: “Her stories always reflect that she cares deeply about the way that her stories are told. She shows due respect for the power that she has as a writer and storyteller; she cares about the manner in which the information is collected. ”
Also recognized today was Jonathan Ashford, a KUSA-Channel 9 assignment editor, as Broadcast Media Representative of the Year.
Jerry McBride, a photographer with the Durango Herald, was named Small Market Print Media Representative of the Year.
Jim Shires of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was named by the group as PIO of the Year.
Shires also serves as ESPIOC president.
“The working relationship and respect for each other between PIO and the media is vital,” Shires said. “Without the mutual understanding of each job, the community and citizens are not given a fair, balanced and accurate story. And when it comes right down to it, that is what the job is really about.”
ESPIOC has more than 125 members from 90 emergency- services organizations.
