Doug Kammerer, chief meteorologist for NBC Washington, interrupted regular programming to report on a tornado warning that included his home in Maryland. While still on the air, Kammerer interrupted his own special coverage to call his children and instruct them to seek shelter in the basement.
“Kent, are you there?” He reported speaking with his son on his mobile phone. “Hey dude, please proceed to the basement. We received a tornado watch. I want you and Callie to get down as soon as possible.”
“Get down there immediately,” continued Kammerer. “Enter the bedroom and wait ten to fifteen minutes, okay? Do it immediately.”
The broadcast resumed as soon as he hung up the phone.
“I have to warn my children because I know what they are doing right now; they are probably playing online games,” he told the audience. And they are blind to this.
Kammerer has earned my highest regard. I am firmly convinced that family comes first. You must also admire how he spoke to his son in a calm but firm manner before returning to his special coverage without pausing.
Sadly, you just know that some pitiful, petty Karens called the station to complain about them interfering with The Bachelor or another lame show, and/or to complain that Kammerer spent five seconds being a good father.
