Picture of EMI Campus with Emergenct Mangement Institute sign in foreground and Buildings N and O in the background" title="The campus of FEMA's National Emergency Training Center, located in Emmitsburg, Md., offers a beautiful environment for first responders, emergency managers and educators to learn state-of-the-art disaster management and response. This course can provide a basic understanding of the PIO function for those new to the position. Additionally, it can provide those in executive-level roles with the necessary knowledge of PIO roles and responsibilities during an emergency. This lesson presents information on how to effectively communicate with the media and the whole community. Is the conduit for information to internal and external stakeholders. Establish one that doesnt hinder operations but affords the media reasonable, legitimate access. Emergency Manager jobs 33,535 open jobs Tammy Kikuchi: Having the Joint Information Center for this event was critical. (Correct), The report was written by the officer. It provides a framework for people from multiple agencies to work well together B. There are all kinds of emergencies out there that we can prepare for. Holding the session indoors, if possible. You need to write to your audience. Using acronyms in news releases may:A. The five (5%) segment of the 95/5 concept B. downtime when working an emergency. C. blue sky time but makes no difference in credibility. Social networking sites are online communities that connect people. Develop and implement your campaign by setting a goal, creating a message, choosing your medium, and identifying timing. Now that youve got a goal statement, the next step is to create messages in support of the goal that are suited to your target audience. The 8-Step Communication Model includes:A. Assess the current situation B. This demonstrates how social media are now an integral part of our lives and a valuable part of the PIOs toolkit. On average, between 30 and 80 Arizona residents die from heat related illnesses every summer. This lesson reviews the four steps in creating a public awareness campaign. Prepare a Go Kit filled with your tools, contact information, and other vital documents. Print medianewspapers and magazinesare the first type of mass media developed. A theme that begins in this course and is carried throughout the Public Information Training Series, the 95/5 concept A. is a management concept unique to public information management. Add to the measurable statistics C. Enlist support and involvement of organization personnel while communicating a consistent message D. Demonstrate commitment to the organization, 16. As exemplified in the Pew Research study, people are getting information from sources other than traditional media. Brian Hyer: We had all kinds of questions. Once again, we see a fire threatening our citizens and their homes. Next you need to identifyhowyou will communicate. endstream endobj 1929 0 obj <. Some examples of evolving media tools are: Web sites can be used alone or in conjunction with traditional media and other evolving media to get your message out. At the completion of this lesson you should be able to: Public awareness campaigns are ongoing public education programs that PIOs use to inform, educate, and increase organizational visibility. Cell phone(s) with email capability or satellite phone(s), Flash drives and CDs* containing the elements of the crisis communication plan (including news media contact lists, PIO team contact lists, information materials, etc. The role of the pubic information officer. Lets start by reviewing the Incident Command System (ICS) and the PIOs role in ICS. Use examples and comparisons to help convey unfamiliar information, to paint a picture, or to help the reader relate to the information. 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. Below are some tips for writing in a clear, concise, and organized manner: Although active voice is preferred and is more interesting, passive voice may be appropriate when the doer is unknown or you want to focus on the receiver of the action. In this lesson youll learn more about creating public awareness campaigns. Social media have changed how quickly information about a disaster is available. Unfortunately, these hazardous materials are creating a dangerous situation for all of us. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, Web pages, and other media related to its topic. At the completion of this lesson you should be able to: In the previous lesson, you learned about the audiences with whom you will need to communicatethe media, the public, and employees and leaders within your organization. For some incidents, implementing a media area may be an important way to manage the situation. Media management skills including knowing what the media wants, managing amateur journalists, and using media pools and media areas. T;)D2Dt `NY"`~XH@P ` Many times the site of a crisis or disaster may be considered a crime scene and needs to be processed by forensic units. While it is not the responsibility of the PIO to provide food or facilities for the media, a little kindness in this area can go far in building a positive relationship with the mediaespecially if the incident occurs in a remote area where few if any comfort facilities exist (e.g., if the incident is in a remote field, a porta-john will go a long way in making friends!). Include information on evolving media contacts, instructions, and resources. Media pools are used to restrict access to an area due to space limitations or safety issues. Supporting information can be described as: A. Managing Public Information for All-Hazards Incidents (MPI) is a four-day course that provides students with the practical knowledge of the role of the Public Information Officer, the National Incident Management System, emergency communications methods, risk communication, and interpersonal skills. You cantand dont expect them to stay there all of the time. Tell the media representatives: Follow-through goes a long way to establishing good relations with the news media. D. is only useful on television infomercials. It is important to prepare each person to ensure your message is consistent. The public information officer for an organization A. should clear all public documents with neighboring agencies before release. When something happens, the PIO needs the media to get information to the public but also needs to manage the scene and guide the story. Avoid getting involved in these media disputes. Gather, verify, coordinate, and disseminate public information in an emergency from a Joint Information Center. Access to the scene for information and images. Demonstrating an understanding of media needs and operations. 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. This includes: More information on learning about the whole community is presented in Lesson 4. 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. Thats what happened to Jose Martinez yesterday morning as he woke early to get his 9-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son off to school on time. Do you know what to do to protect yourself and your family? Promote government programs and activities B. You cant manage who shows up but you can and should manage contact with the site. Their three-bedroom condo was almost immediately choked in smoke and he could hear screams from below as roaring flames billowed from the balcony outside his front door. It includes features and characteristics that are not available in a traditional news release, such as: In addition to having good written communication skills, a successful PIO also needs to be able to speak effectively. Communicating factual information with the public is the most important job function of a PIO. 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. (Unit 5). 17. These sites make it easy to establish networks of contacts. Social marketing is the use of commercial marketing principles to: A. 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. Prior to establishing the location for this media area, ask yourself the following questions: Another method you may need to employ to manage the situation is a media pool. Increase community preparedness is not specific. Policies for evolving media (e.g., who can post, what can be posted, how to respond to negative comments, etc.). B. is not bound by public record laws. Students also learn message development and delivery, legal considerations, press conferences, the operation of a Joint Information Center, stress management, and strategic communication and planning. Describe the target audiences for the PIO. I would urge you to be careful whenever you travel, Smith said. Determine who your audience is, what they need to know, and what they already know. Private wiki servers require user authentication to edit pages, and sometimes even to read them. 16825 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727 (Passive). Leaves the decision as to who will be in the pool to the media. Better yet is the number of people who call and request preparedness kits! They heighten awareness of community hazards and encourage the public to take steps to become more prepared. +O,))8+l"O{i9"5QKh^R7YH'gI@P+,,#+pbH,ZJt-9#)*~{"Dxu Check off the things you would plan to include in your Go Kit and add other items as you see fit. Resident/Non-Resident, Trainer Program, etc. Providing good public information helps people make the right decisions at the right time and can instill public confidence in the organization, which is primarily important because: 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. nEAH {27(L( o 5UR\sR%or=uG5($#MJ (2*8T-\< Year in and year out, nearly 1,400 Arizonans get heat related illnesses so serious that they end up in an emergency department. 16825 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727 B. cause the intended audience to act on requests in the message. A well-executed interview will likely not A. advance leaderships goals. For example: Active voice is clear, direct, and concise. Determines what the public needs to know. Set up interviews and write talking points C. Be an intermediary between leadership and the news media D. Assess situations for public information implications, 14. Joanne H. Moreau: The media is embedded in our Emergency Operations Center. Walter Monsour: So, the message was managed extremely well. Wear your uniform or neat, conservative attire if not in uniform. 'Ss S>*2MbX^f A tornado strikes in the Midwest. The media will want to get as close as possible to get pictures/audio/interviews. The activities a PIO chooses in non-emergency times (95%) has a significant impact on how successful he or she will be in the 5% spent in emergency response and recovery. Social Media: Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse. The Public Information Officer is responsible for interfacing with the public and media and/or with other agencies with incident-related information requirements. PIOs need to have a thorough understanding of the communities they serve. When considering whether a goal is attainable, ask yourself: Do I have the skills and resourcesor can I get themto achieve this goal? At the end of this course, participants will be able to: Federal Emergency Management Agency | Emergency Management Institute, Notice to Applicants for EMI or NFA Courses, How to apply for a FEMA Independent Study course (Online Course), How to apply for a course held in EMI (On-Campus Course), Non-Resident Courses (EMI Courses Conducted by States), National Standard Exercise Curriculum (NSEC), Master Exercise Practitioner Program (MEPP), Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP), National Incident Management System (NIMS), Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC), Disaster Field Training Operations (DFTO), Schools Multihazard and Mass Casualty Planning, Virtual Table Top Exercise (VTTX) (Sites participate from home via VTC), Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience, Exercise Simulation System Document (ESSD), Guidance on COVID protections for EMI students, Please review the IS FAQ's for more information, Define emergency public information and the importance of being proactive. A Federal structure designed for large-scale, multijurisdictional incidents B. Tools to enhance the flow of public information are housed. If a media pool is not an option, consider providing professional-quality images to the media in the form of video and stills. Even a few minutes of practice can make a big difference. Effective public communication involves collecting, verifying, and disseminating information to your target audiences. Work to keep them out of danger as you would any member of the public. Narrator: Red Stick Ready targets every segment of the community. They will go other places to get other information (local citizen reactions, sidebar stories, etc.). That you will get them information and be back to brief themand then do so. Questions to answer when evaluating a public awareness campaign include the following: You can collect data about your campaign in different ways. Manages resources including supplies, personnel, and equipment. Switchboard: (301) 447-1000 It uses organizational charts that can be provided to the news media C. It was created for first responders and is helpful at the beginning of an incident D. It has been proven effective during massive wildfire incidents. Public information is a vital function in disaster operations that . Terms of Use, IS-100.b, Introduction to the Incident Command System, IS-200.b, ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents, IS-700, National Incident Management System, An Introduction, ICS-300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents, ICS-400, Advanced ICS for Command and General Staff, IS-702.a, National Incident Management System (NIMS) Public Information Systems, IS-800.c, National Response Framework, An Introduction. Write out the full term on first usage, as appropriate. 1943 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<9229C3A5CD7F8A409FF242859AD01E9B>]/Index[1928 28]/Info 1927 0 R/Length 89/Prev 779652/Root 1929 0 R/Size 1956/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Harvard psychiatrist Steven Scholzman wrote a (fictional) medical paper on the zombies presented inNight of the Living Deadand refers to the condition asAtaxic Neurodegenerative Satiety Deficiency Syndromecaused by an infectious agent. Its community preparedness. Communication with internal agency personnel is A. not a role undertaken by a PIO. At the completion of this lesson you should be able to: Key to being an effective PIO in an emergency is the ability to: Lets start by looking at what you need to know about emergency management. 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 Operates with the understanding that any video, audio, or interviews acquired will be shared with the rest of the media. News briefings or conferences and interviews are times when you will need to know how to (or prepare a speaker to) present information and respond to questions. Hundreds are so ill that they end up being admitted to the hospital. It is important to note that traditional media sources are not being replaced by social media; instead, traditional media are using social media to connect with their audiences and expand their reach. Chris Mrela wrote a dynamite report on this a couple of years ago. The role of the public information officer A. is strictly dictated by the National Qualification System position task book. 1928 0 obj <> endobj Television is the main source of news for Americans. Guidance on COVID protections for EMI students, and the CDC Coronavirus page for the latest updates on the pandemic response. What are priorities within your organization? Identify how messages should be conveyed. Describe evolving media tools, including social media, for communication. As demonstrated by the examples, micro-blogging has become an important source of information in preparation of, during, and after crisis situations. 20. It also helps identify the target audience for a particular public awareness campaign. They also tell people how they can prepare for a disaster, and protect themselves when disaster strikes. What events nationally and globally are in the news? The following table shows what you need to provide for a television story, the advantages of television, and its limitations. Time will also impact the shelf-life of your campaign. D. Identify opportunities for public awareness campaigns. Different types of Web sites can be used to get information to your community: Email is another way that you can get information to members of your community and organization. How knowledgeable is the audience on this topic? Blogs to cover events as they are happening. As a PIO, you communicate with your target audiences to keep them informed about activities, events, and resources. For each of these toolstelevision, newspaper, radio, news briefings, and evolving mediayou need written products. Joanne H. Moreau: We are able to work with all agencies and give a real solid unified message. endstream endobj startxref 494 0 obj <> endobj Another way to express your key message B. If there is a reason that the media cannot be allowed access to the scene, consider using a media pool to restrict access while allowing them to get the images and interviews they desire. A directory of your organizations Internet presence. EMI is introducing a limited number of IS courses that have been translated to the Spanish language. C. request additional assistance through the National Public Information Support Network. Contact commercial vendors to identify contacts and the process for news releases. 514 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<897144EC39D7C94ABD0F71D9C292EE4A><41375C8F366F3C4EA1877AFFBEEAAE0A>]/Index[494 31]/Info 493 0 R/Length 101/Prev 195410/Root 495 0 R/Size 525/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Use jargon to communicate with your target audience B. endstream endobj 495 0 obj <. Lieutenant Doug McCleve: So what we felt like it would be best to do is provide a one-stop calling center for the news media to be able to access whoever they needed to in this process. If you need to build an email list, consider including a place for people to sign up on your Web site. What problems are you having in your community? It will keep you focused and is the foundation for evaluating your campaigns success. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median, annual pay for public relations managers was $91,180 in May 2012, with the top 10 percent earning more than $166,000. When will you implement your campaign? Studies show that people read differently online than when they read printed materials, therefore, when you write for the Web or social media you should: A. PIOs get their message out by communicating directly with the public, working through the traditional news media and through new media. May allow access to more than one person from each media type when necessary (e.g., television reporter and a camera operator, or newspaper reporter and photographer). Narrator: Red Stick Ready demonstrates how you can develop a strategy that prepares your community for a disaster and effectively provides critical information when an incident happens. Once you have identified your goal, write it down! Jeff Leduff: We are the first line of information for the rest of the team because were out there all the time. Additionally, it can provide those in executive-level roles with the necessary knowledge of PIO roles and responsibilities during an emergency. Additionally, it can provide those in executive level roles the necessary knowledge of PIO roles and responsibilities during an emergency. Develop a picture of who you want to reach with your message by asking: Now that you know what you want to communicate and to whom you will communicate, next you need to develop and implement your campaign. Smith activated the State Emergency Operations Center, which coordinates State firefighting efforts in these situations. Email. As the PIO, you must know your organizations role in an emergency and have emergency management knowledge, including: This lesson introduced you to your role as a Public Information Officer (PIO). Describe the role of the Public Information Officer (PIO) in an emergency.