If you do not want something recorded by the media, cover it up or shield it with a vehicle. Information developed and disseminated in anticipation of, during, or after an emergency to provide specific life- and health-saving information C. Issuing a news release on a seatbelt law (public information); announcing a road closure due to a multiple-car accident (emergency public information) D. Information collected, assembled, or maintained by an organization in connection with the transaction of official business and available for dissemination to the public, 15. Verdi White: The two functions and people that I need to have with me when Im out here doing anything is I need to have a finance person and I need to have the Joint Information Center. Avoid getting involved in these media disputes. 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. Its not complicated; its very easy for them, which makes for better reporting. Lesson 3 introduced the importance of establishing relationships with the media. Technology has a great impact on your ability to manage the message. Additionally, it can provide those in executive level roles the necessary knowledge of PIO roles and responsibilities during an emergency. Announce events of interest to your community or share information about an incident. 1. As with ICS, the JIS is as simple or complex as the needs of the situation. A micro-blog is a type of blog where the message is shorter. All social networking sites allow users to find people they know among the members, or look for other members with similar interests or affiliations. Narrator: Red Stick Ready targets every segment of the community. Joanne H. Moreau: Working with the children, and with such an emphasis on the children, we wanted a tool that could reach them. Select the correct definition Public Information A. Coordinates the release of accurate, coordinated, timely, and accessible public information to affected audiences, including the government, media, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector B. Themes weaved throughout the series include the 95/5 concept and an emphasis on whole community strategic communication planning. When creating your media list: Media information is constantly changing; make sure you have a process to keep your media list up-to-date. This lesson presents information on how to effectively communicate with the media and the whole community. Weegy: The role of the pubic information officer is to gather facts and disseminate it to the media. Lets start by reviewing the Incident Command System (ICS) and the PIOs role in ICS. Uses information from other members of the local unit to develop accurate, accessible, and complete information on an Campaigns that combine a mix of media are more likely to be effective in influencing people. Do you know what to do to protect yourself and your family? Imagine your living room exploding in flames and your family cut off from the only door down the stairs from your second-floor condominium. B. 0. Timely updates and corrections to information in evolving incidents. Avoid visuals C. Chunk content to make it more scannable D. Maximize search results by using acronyms, 6. 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. Understand the National Incident Management System, Incident Command System and their correlation with the emergency response system. I know our superb team of firefighters will do all they can, but the conditions on the railroad are particularly difficult, Smith said. Are there warnings or other critical messages to be communicated to the public? The latest information on activities, events, and resources. This fundamental principle is the basis for public information in emergency management in this country. Selects the right tools for the messages. Access to the scene for information and images. You can find the complete list of courses in the Spanish language course list. Private wiki servers require user authentication to edit pages, and sometimes even to read them. 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. Tammy Kikuchi: The Joint Information Center and the Command Staff out there would hold daily briefings for the media, and quite honestly that took much of the heat, if you will, off the Governors office. A strategy to effectively use all the tools (traditional media and evolving media) together and determine the best mix of tools for what you want to communicate. Some evaluation data can be collected without contact with the audiencefor example, number of Web page hits or increase in the quantity of smoke alarms purchased. As a PIO, you communicate with your target audiences to keep them informed about activities, events, and resources. In your communication strategy, identify how you will use social media by itself and together with traditional media to prepare your community for emergencies, and to provide them with life-saving information when an incident occurs. Note: Often micro-blogs will provide links to Web sites or social networking sites for more information. Sit on your coat tail to keep your jacket from riding up. +O,))8+l"O{i9"5QKh^R7YH'gI@P+,,#+pbH,ZJt-9#)*~{"Dxu 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. Email is also an ideal tool for communicating within your organization because you generally have access to your colleagues email addresses. endstream endobj startxref Verdi White: The way that we set this particular operation up is we took the Incident Command System and made it an overlay onto the National Guard that had the infrastructure to be able to do all the functions that we needed to accomplish to do this, and of course one of the central components of, of an incident command system is the public information piece. 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. What events nationally and globally are in the news? Select the correct definition Emergency Public Information A. Coordinates the release of accurate, coordinated, timely, and accessible public information to affected audiences, including the government, media, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector B. Emergency management knowledge including an understanding of NIMS, ICS, the JIS, and the JIC. Functions of the Public Information Officer - emilms.fema.gov B. is not bound by public record laws. They can be used for personal networking, professional networking, and sharing public information. For highly visible or controversial matters, it might be best to have a leader in the organization speak. Students also learn message development and . Gather, verify, coordinate, and disseminate public information in an emergency from a Joint Information Center. Mayor Holden: Sometimes you have to get your story out very quickly. 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. 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. The PIOs primary responsibility to organizational leadership as an advisor is to: A. A news release should be used when an activity or incident is newsworthy based on: News releases should be printed on your organizations letterhead and include a header with contact information (name and number), date, and a news release number. When preparing written products, it is important that your message is understood. Tammy Kikuchi: I would say it, whatever expense it takes for your Public Information Officers to get the training, spend it. Information developed and disseminated in anticipation of, during, or after an emergency to provide specific life- and health-saving information C. Issuing a news release on a seatbelt law (public information); announcing a road closure due to a multiple-car accident (emergency public information) D. Information collected, assembled, or maintained by an organization in connection with the transaction of official business and available for dissemination to the public, 8. @8'_= J J0 We wanted questions answered, we wanted stories to be able to do, and we had one place to go to and that was great. Establish one that doesnt hinder operations but affords the media reasonable, legitimate access. Communicating public information messages internally to the workforce is important because it allows the PIO to: A. Social media sites help disaster survivors look for lost family members and pets, and provide information on where to get assistance, where to find shelter, and how to give aid. Video sharing sites to expand or market a story, and. Social networking sites are online communities that connect people. If you hope to work with schools, plan well in advance to coordinate with their schedules and curriculum. The heat on the desert floor isnt just a nuisance, its expensive & lethal. Increased information needs can be handled. For more information on AP style, go tohttp://www.apstylebook.com. The role of the PIO is the same regardless of the type or size of the event. Test the message on a safe audience B. 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. Campaigns are usually multifaceted, combining events and various media to get the message out. Serves as an advisor to the Incident Commander. Contact local, tribal, territorial, and State press associations to obtain media lists. 1955 0 obj <>stream Your media list should be current, complete, and tailored to your organization. Depending on where the media area is, the media representatives will need to be able to connect with their microwave towers or uplink with a satellite. NIMS Description of the PIOs Responsibilities. After taking this course you may want to take other courses to help you continue your professional development. Describe the role of the PIO in an emergency. For example, you can post videos, use social networking sites, and/or create a blog. In their zeal to get the story reporters may not always recognize the potential for danger to themselves. The Incident Command System is a fundamental element of emergency management. (Unit 3), Recall preparation techniques that contribute to a successful media interview. Salary Statistics for Public Information Officers. Manages resources including supplies, personnel, and equipment. Transparency in government promotes efficiency and effectiveness and allows the people in your community to understand and participate in your processes. If you intend to become a Public Information Officer use these FEMA IS 29.A answers to turn a 7 hour course into one that takes 5 minutes. Unfortunately, these hazardous materials are creating a dangerous situation for all of us. Next you need to identifyhowyou will communicate. PIOs need to have a complete understanding of the community's demographics in order to: A. News releases should adhere to the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook. Include information on evolving media contacts, instructions, and resources. !]U9[MZ\waQ>yICK{",|.NH&ec* 'C/M;WrQJ6bs\ 886} This course is designed for new or less experienced state, local, tribal and territorial PIOs or those who have this role as a secondary function. The Public Information Officer Awareness Course (IS0029) is designed to familiarize participants with the concepts underlying the PIO role. Smith activated the State Emergency Operations Center, which coordinates State firefighting efforts in these situations. Jeff Leduff: We are the first line of information for the rest of the team because were out there all the time. Effective public communication involves collecting, verifying, and disseminating information to your target audiences. The role of the pubic information officer. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. ICS is used to manage an emergency incident (like a wildland fire, search and rescue, hurricane, etc.) Write out the full term on first usage, as appropriate. A PIOs proactive approach to public information enhances credibility in messaging. Serves in an ICS role 2. 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. The Sonoran Desert will be among the hottest places on the globe for the next 4 months. 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. 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. Include email addresses and Internet sites for the media contact. In all cases, the campaign will include a compelling message and a clear link to the organizations overall goals and priorities. Wear your uniform or neat, conservative attire if not in uniform. For some incidents, implementing a media area may be an important way to manage the situation. Hundreds are so ill that they end up being admitted to the hospital. Sometimes logging in for a session is recommended, to create a wiki-signature cookie for signing edits automatically. As demonstrated by the examples, micro-blogging has become an important source of information in preparation of, during, and after crisis situations. Public information can help people make the right decision at the right time. What are people in your community concerned about? The course culminates with a practical exercise designed to plan, develop, integrate, and disseminate public information for an emergency, incident, or disaster as part of a Joint Information Center. Print medianewspapers and magazinesare the first type of mass media developed. 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. They will go other places to get other information (local citizen reactions, sidebar stories, etc.). 95% B. The training courses listed below include those delivered at the state, local, tribal, and territorial level as well as higher-level training managed by EMIs subject matter expert training teams. Joanne H. Moreau: So Mayor Mouse, our mayor, along with the real mayor actually goes to that event and interacts with the people that are present. Describe evolving media tools, including social media, for communication. 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. Grab the attention of your readers so that they will continue reading. 50% C. 25% D. 5%, 9. Questions to answer when evaluating a public awareness campaign include the following: You can collect data about your campaign in different ways. It is important to build relationships with your media contacts. For different audiences, you may need to write different products. Resident/Non-Resident, Trainer Program, etc. 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 Officer Jobs and Salary Spelling- and grammar-checking tools (printed and computer software). 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!). Overview: The FEMA IS-29.A course was published on 8/5/2019 to familiarize participants with the concepts underlying the PIO role. Resource Typing Definition for Response . Identify the purpose of what you are writing and start with the main message. D. Identify opportunities for public awareness campaigns. You can use different types of media and different avenues to get your message out, including: According to a Pew Research Center project conducted in December 2010, Americans now get most of their news information from television and the Internet, with newspaper readership declining. Blogs to cover events as they are happening. Year in and year out, nearly 1,400 Arizonans get heat related illnesses so serious that they end up in an emergency department. Blogs are Web sites that allow you to engage in a conversation with readers. FEMA-NIMS@fema.dhs.gov NIMS Basic Guidance for Public Information Officers 2 II. There are all kinds of emergencies out there that we can prepare for. When an emergency happens, ICS is implemented. List the skills needed to be an effective PIO. Holding the session indoors, if possible. 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. Continue to monitor the weather., Example 3:4 Shelters remain open: MassMutual Ctr, 1277 Main St. Springfield; Quarry Hill Comm. C. request additional assistance through the National Public Information Support Network. Television is the main source of news for Americans. A good overview of ICS is provided in the independent study . D. is only useful on television infomercials. Many edits, however, can be made in real-time and appear almost instantly online. . How knowledgeable is the audience on this topic? IS-29.A: Public Information Officer Awareness - FEMA Determining hazard impact is a crucial component in emergency planning. endstream endobj startxref These sites make it easy to establish networks of contacts. You can entice them to stay by giving them regular official updates and letting them know that if they are absent they may miss something important or interesting. 524 0 obj <>stream T;)D2Dt `NY"`~XH@P ` Identify how messages should be conveyed. (Unit 2), Describe the types of written products used in public information activities. In order to maintain the integrity of the scene and enhance the possibility for a successful investigation and subsequent prosecution, the scene must be kept clear of all nonessential personnel. IS-29.a - Public Information Officer Awareness | FEMA Emergency Contact commercial vendors to identify contacts and the process for news releases. A Public Information Officer (PIO) for a public safety or emergency management agency might expect to spend what portion of his or her time on activities directly related to incident response or recovery? Public Information and Warning . 494 0 obj <> endobj Gathering feedback and heading off problems, Explaining your mission, policies, and goals. Quantify results when evaluating public information efforts. Overview: The FEMA IS-29.A course was published on 8/5/2019 to familiarize participants with the concepts underlying the PIO role. NIMS provides a consistent, systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work seamlessly to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents, regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity, in order to reduce the loss of life and property and harm to the environment. Disclosing information to the public in ways that are easy to find and use. Doug Miser. 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. Media management skills including knowing what the media wants, managing amateur journalists, and using media pools and media areas. A well-executed interview will likely not A. advance leaderships goals. (What will motivate them?). Are there cultural differences to take into consideration? Do not be afraid to put bad news first if that is the message. You should set a realistic deadline and interim benchmarks, as needed. What is in it for them? Please review the IS FAQ's for more information. C. will transfer to a planning position if no media covers an incident. Public Information Officer (PIO) - Emergency Management Institute 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: Additionally, students conduct various public information activities and exercises, to include writing messages and conducting press conferences. They can be seasonallike hurricane preparedness week. Once you have identified your goal, write it down! When will you implement your campaign? A campaign on hurricane awareness wont get much play in December. .. 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). The Public Information Officer gathers, verifies, coordinates, and disseminates accurate, accessible, and timely information on the incidents cause, size, and current situation; resources committed; and other matters of general interest for both internal and external audiences. PIOs shouldA. compile a go kit to allow for lengthy deployments to a long-term incident. ), Manuals and background information necessary to provide needed information to the public and media, Topic-specific fact sheets, backgrounders, talking points, and news release templates (hard copy and electronic), Business cards with 24/7 contact information, Funding mechanism (i.e., credit card, etc.) The process for ensuring that a public information message was accurately conveyed is typically called: A. Supporting information can be described as: A. Below are some, but not all, of the critical skill sets learned during this training program: Personnel who are assigned or may be designated to perform public information duties during an incident, emergency, or disaster and anyone in a response discipline who may be assigned or designated to perform public information duties. PIOs need to have a thorough understanding of the communities they serve. The media area is a place where media congregate to help enhance the flow of information. The AP Stylebook is used by most of the news media. (Passive). Tammy Kikuchi: Having the Joint Information Center for this event was critical. B. cause the intended audience to act on requests in the message. Dont date your materials by using the year or referring to news events that will become out-of-date quickly. Select it carefully and choose your background wisely. Influence an audience to modify behavior C. Sell government or nonprofit products and programs D. Enhance social media, 11. 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. Evolving media (Web sites, email, blogs, social networking sites, etc.). Identify contacts and sources that are relevant to your organization. The public information officer for an organization A. should clear all public documents with neighboring agencies before release. News releases are one of the most commonly used tools for PIOs. 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. Social Media: Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse. The 8-Step Communication Model includes:A. Assess the current situation B. Derrick Jensen: The feedback we received from them, from the local media that we work with on a regular basis and have a pretty good relationship from them .