the role of the public information officer fema

Many times at the scene of an incident a media area can be set up to facilitate the enhanced flow of information between the PIO and the media. If you do not want something recorded by the media, cover it up or shield it with a vehicle. that can be used to purchase operational resources as needed, Paper forms, in case there is no electronic access (i.e., no Internet access, power outage, etc. As a PIO, you will likely communicate public information and emergency public information as well as conduct community education. But all four occupants miraculously escaped and the 45-year-old dad told the Ventura County Star: We thank God that were alive, regardless of what we lost up there.. Even a few minutes of practice can make a big difference. Radio is a form of broadcast technology that has the following needs, advantages, and limitations. FEMA IS-29: Public Information Officer Awareness Course Summary The Incident Command System is a fundamental element of emergency management. This lesson introduces you to some emergency management principles contained in the National Incident Management System (NIMS). This includes: More information on learning about the whole community is presented in Lesson 4. At the completion of this lesson you should be able to: Public Information Officersor PIOsare an important link between the organizations they work for and the communities they serve. To read this blog, go to:http://emergency.cdc.gov/. Speculation C. Summarizing D. Bridging, 12. The media will want to get as close as possible to get pictures/audio/interviews. The Incident Commander B. Different types of written products include the following: View actual news releases, statements, and fact sheets on the InciWeb site [http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/]. What actions and resources are being used to achieve the objectives? Check Web sites and social media sites, read newspapers, watch TV, and listen to radio to know how your message is getting out. It may be a good idea to record how many news releases you sent out, but the amount of media coverage you receive (e.g., column inches, mentions on news programs, and number of radio interviews) is more indicative of success. Within minutes pictures, videos, and messages about the destruction are available on social media sites, Web sites, and throughout the news media. Sound bite B. Always connect with the Incident Commander before making any statement to the media. This lesson introduced you to the steps to create a preparedness campaign: These steps will help you develop a campaign that will inform the whole community about the importance of being ready and preparedness steps to take. That you will get them information and be back to brief themand then do so. A goal that makes you stretch is good. What is happening in other areas? They can be seasonallike hurricane preparedness week. Three PIOs on the scene of a crisis huddling prior to making a statement to the media. PDF NIMS Basic Guidance for Public Information Officers - FEMA Select it carefully and choose your background wisely. There are also professional social networking sites with sections for jobs. 1928 0 obj <> endobj Identify contacts and sources that are relevant to your organization. B. an important part of the PIOs job. Describe the role and function of the PIO. Please note that the is program now requires a fema sid to be used instead of your ssn. @8'_= J J0 Consider information about the whole community when identifying topics, including: There is no point in conducting a hurricane preparedness campaign if your area is not subject to hurricanes. Develops a strategy or plan for handling the incident, monitors it in process, and adjusts the plan as needed. The Public Information Officer may also perform a key public information-monitoring role. The table below summarizes what you need to provide for a print story, and identifies the advantages and limitations of print. 524 0 obj <>stream A public awareness campaign is a vehicle you can use to get your message out about being prepared. Your media list should be current, complete, and tailored to your organization. It will keep you focused and is the foundation for evaluating your campaigns success. Responsibilities of the Components of the ICS Organization. One that is completely out of reach is de-motivating. The JIS is a system that ensures coordination and integration of information across jurisdictions, organizations, and agencies during an incident. Distribute family emergency preparedness kits through community elementary schools is both clearer and more meaningful. To be eligible for the course, the student must successfully complete the following courses: The completion of the following courses is recommended but not required: The Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) is an Accredited Provider (AP) of Continuing Education Units (CEU) and is authorized to award the following CEUs for successful completion of this activity: IACET (International Association of Continuing Education and Training) 3.2 CEUs, 1-866-213-9553 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST, Contact Us A directory of your organizations Internet presence. Sit on your coat tail to keep your jacket from riding up. Communicating factual information with the public is the most important job function of a PIO. Are there cultural differences to take into consideration? Serves in an ICS role 2. Social networking sites are online communities that connect people. Describe the target audiences for the PIO. Additionally, it can provide those in executive-level roles with the necessary knowledge of PIO roles and responsibilities during an emergency. Score .9906. The goal of this awareness course is to provide an orientation to the public information function and the role of the Public Information Officer (PIO) in the public safety/emergency management environment. Two PIOs talking to each other on the phone about a news story that involves both of their agencies. . What will you change in future campaigns? 3 Step Guide for Assistance. The role of the PIO is the same regardless of the type or size of the event. Describe the role and functions of the Public Information Officer (PIO) Describe the types of written products used in public information activities. B. is not bound by public record laws. Making sure community members understand the events that unfold during severe weather, pandemics, and non-emergency scenarios . 'Ss S>*2MbX^f Doug Miser. One PIO talking by phone to an on-scene PIO to confirm the number of responders at the scene prior to an initial news release. This course introduces PIOs with no, or limited, experience to the basic skills and tools needed to communicate effectively with the public. As demonstrated by the examples, micro-blogging has become an important source of information in preparation of, during, and after crisis situations. The median salary for a public information officer is near 60,000 a year in most states and between 80,000 and 90,000 a year in higher cost of living states. Determine who your audience is, what they need to know, and what they already know. As part of conducting research, you have identified populations in the community who are vulnerable and need the information from your campaign. Additionally, it can provide those in executive-level roles with the necessary knowledge of PIO roles and responsibilities during an emergency. Tammy Kikuchi: The response was overwhelming. This course should take approximately 7 hours and 25 minutes to complete. There are all kinds of emergencies out there that we can prepare for. The Governor repeated his request that everyone use caution and heed warning messages on TV and radio, or in their newspapers. Conducting public awareness campaigns; Gathering key information/details of the event; Prioritizing and issuing notices, alerts, and warnings; Taking action to maintain control of rumors; Coordinating inquiries from the public, the media, and elected officials; Coordinating tours or other interviews with agency reps and the media Here are the FEMA test answers to IS-29.A: Public Information Officer Awareness. The Student Self Service Portal allows you to print or download Independent Study (IS) Completion Certificates, Student IS Transcripts (for personal or employer use) and Official IS Transcripts (for educational institutions only). Many wikis are open to alteration by the general public without requiring them to register user accounts. Grab the attention of your readers so that they will continue reading. Brian Hyer: We had all kinds of questions. FEMA IS-29: Public Information Officer Awareness Answers Joanne H. Moreau: The media is embedded in our Emergency Operations Center. The following table shows what you need to provide for a television story, the advantages of television, and its limitations. While local, tribal, territorial, and State governments may have different laws regarding transparency and open government the general principles are to be: As a PIO, it is important to know the laws that apply in your area because of your role in providing information to the public. C. is a failed theory and should not be used by modern public information officers. Sometimes logging in for a session is recommended, to create a wiki-signature cookie for signing edits automatically. Hundreds are so ill that they end up being admitted to the hospital. Leaves the decision as to who will be in the pool to the media. Contact commercial vendors to identify contacts and the process for news releases. hbbd```b``"_H|LI&x9"$ ;Dr?*&Fvql2r S3 But its not just preparedness information that the mayor and his team also have a plan for, they also have focused on how to provide critical and accurate information during an emergency by including every emergency response agency in the Emergency Operations Center the EOC and embedding the media in the communication process. Examples of JIS configurations are: The previous examples of JIS configurations demonstrate that sometimes a location is needed to facilitate the operation of the JIS. The subject is the. Walter Monsour: So, the message was managed extremely well. Lieutenant Doug McCleve: The feedback that Im getting, at least from my local news media, is that theyve been very pleased with the access theyve had. If you use an acronym, make sure your audience understands it. D. has become ever more complex as the challenge of delivering messages has evolved. Emergency management guidance for public- and private-sector organizations C. A database of Federal-level emergency incidents D. Another name for the National Response Framework, 21. The good news is that preventing heat related illness is easy to do if you just use common sense. Private wiki servers require user authentication to edit pages, and sometimes even to read them. For each of these toolstelevision, newspaper, radio, news briefings, and evolving mediayou need written products. You cant manage who shows up but you can and should manage contact with the site. The ultimate goal of all public safety endeavors is to save lives, protect property, and preserve the environmentand almost all reporters would agree that their needs will come after these important tasks. Students also learn message development and . It is important to prepare each person to ensure your message is consistent. nEAH {27(L( o 5UR\sR%or=uG5($#MJ (2*8T-\< Because its money well spent in the end and if your PIOs can learn from other areas of the Nation that are doing things well, send them there, let them learn from the people who have done it before, so that when they come back they can build a system that works for you. A news conference or briefing may be used when you want to: A news conference or briefing may be announced by using a press release or media advisory. [25 Test Answers] FEMA IS-29A: Public Information Officer Awareness I would urge you to be careful whenever you travel, Smith said. Describe how to have a successful relationship with the news media. Well, were here to answer that question for you, and hopefully share a few tips about preparing forrealemergencies too! Work within the emergency management system. Public Information and Warning . Lets look at some general descriptions of social media available: Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Public Information Officer (PIO) training program is designed to provide PIOs with the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities to support proper decision-making by delivering the right message, to the right people, at the right time. Public information entails the processes and systems that enable effective communications with various target audiences. What do you want people to know or do after hearing your message? Also, it may be necessary to explain to them the danger, and how if they fail to heed the warnings and become injured, they may endanger others who would have to then go in to rescue them (e.g., passing into the plume of a Hazmat area, traveling over an unsafe structure that may collapse, or moving into the line of fire of an armed suspect). In a span of, I think, 2 months, we took in roughly about almost three thousand kids at various sites to talk to them about different safety things. They tell the public about services and programs that can affect their lives, like information about staying healthy, fire safety, and changes in community college tuition. These people are your target audience. The steps to organize and conduct a news conference or briefing are: Note: You may want to identify several knowledgeable people to assist and provide information at the news conference or briefing. The rise of zombies in pop culture has given credence to the idea that a zombie apocalypse could happen. View IS-29.a - Public Information Officer Awareness | FEMA Emergency Management Institute (EMI).pdf from CIS 20 at SUNY Empire State College. 0 Provide public information, emergency public information, and community education to your internal and external target audiences. Develop and implement your campaign by setting a goal, creating a message, choosing your medium, and identifying timing. Year in and year out, nearly 1,400 Arizonans get heat related illnesses so serious that they end up in an emergency department. %%EOF Video sharing sites to expand or market a story, and. . Who is likely to be affected by the hazard or threat? You need to write to your audience. Describe how to develop and execute a public awareness campaign. Television is the main source of news for Americans. Allows access to one media representative from television, radio, print, and Internet to a restricted area. Mayor Holden: We have what they call Mayor Mouse, and Mayor Mouse basically is operated to go to various schools. 16825 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727 In the next lesson you will learn how to communicate effectively when an incident happens. This lesson focused on how to communicate effectively, which involves: In the next lesson you will learn how to use your tools and skills to communicate information about being prepared to your community.