the role of the public information officer fema

Construct and deliver an appropriate crisis and emergency risk message. ), Prescription medications; basic first-aid supplies, Weather gear (e.g., rain poncho, gloves, sunscreen). Are there cultural differences to take into consideration? Managing public information is another fundamental element of emergency management. To read this blog, go to:http://directorsblog.health.azdhs.gov, Example 1:Survivors of the April tornadoes have until Monday, June 27 to register for disaster assistance from FEMA as well as . The subject is the. 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. 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. The benefits of social media include the following capabilities: New social media tools are being developed and implemented all the time. This lesson covered the knowledge and skills you need to effectively manage emergency public information during an incident: The next lesson summarizes your role as a PIO and how to use all the tools available to you to help your community be prepared and to share critical information when an incident happens. Make sure the media area is far enough away and/or your workspaces are shielded from prying cameras, microphones, and eyes. Some important considerations to effectively use evolving media include developing: Now you have an understanding of the advantages and limitations of traditional and evolving media. Blogs are a good tool to use to communicate with your audience. In an incident, theIncident Commandermanages the entire incident and: TheCommand Staffprovides information, safety, and liaison services: TheGeneral Staffperforms functional activities: As part of the ICS structure, the PIO is part of the Command Staff and advises the Incident Commander on all public information matters relating to the management of the incident. For example: Active voice is clear, direct, and concise. Better yet is the number of people who call and request preparedness kits! 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 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). You need to write to your audience. As a PIO, you need to: In the next lesson you will learn about various tools available to you for communicating with the community. Primary audience: FEMA IS-29.A is designed for the new or less experienced state, local, tribal and territorial PIOs or those who have this role as a secondary function. Please review the IS FAQ's for more information. 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. The following are excerpts from some successful blogs by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Ventura City Manager in Ventura, CA, and the Arizona Department of Health Services. (Unit 3), Recall preparation techniques that contribute to a successful media interview. Spelling- and grammar-checking tools (printed and computer software). Check Web sites and social media sites, read newspapers, watch TV, and listen to radio to know how your message is getting out. ), 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.) PIOs get their message out by communicating directly with the public, working through the traditional news media and through new media. It was absolutely the very best thing we could have done. Work within the emergency management system. Describe the role of the PIO in an emergency. This lesson introduces you to some emergency management principles contained in the National Incident Management System (NIMS). 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. 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. ), John enjoys boating, swimming, and to fish. The news media and local government ask the community to send videos and photos via social media, email, and text messages. Select the right media to reach the target audience. if you do not have a sid, Test questions are scrambled to protect test integrity. 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. The Mayors Office developed an outreach campaign known as Red Stick Ready. Please review the IS FAQ's for more information. Establish contact with other agency PIOs. 281757518-Role-of-Catering-Establishment-in-Tourism-Industry-PRINT.docx. It can be taken alone or before Basic Public Information Officer Training (G290). C. Monitors costs related to the incident, and provides . A directory of your organizations Internet presence. 524 0 obj <>stream In order to keep a consistent two-way flow of information with the media representatives at the scene, it is important to make it relatively easy to communicate with them face to face. B. report to the Finance/Admin Section Chief when arriving at an incident. Your media list should be current, complete, and tailored to your organization. The Public Information Officer may also perform a key public information-monitoring role. Are there warnings or other critical messages to be communicated to the public? Traditional media (print, radio, television). A secondary audience is elected or other officials such as Incident Commanders or emergency operations center managers who want an overview of emergency public information. 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). Increased information needs can be handled. nEAH {27(L( o 5UR\sR%or=uG5($#MJ (2*8T-\< Many Web sites include a blog as part of the site. Organizing the information in a news release so that the important information comes first is called: A. AP style B. Inverted pyramid C. JIC style D. Journalistic style, 7. Please note that the is program now requires a fema sid to be used instead of your ssn. Expert Help. Evaluate the effectiveness of your campaign. Refer to the list below. D. seek media release approval from the Communication Unit Leader., 24. . Joanne H. Moreau: We are able to work with all agencies and give a real solid unified message. During an incident, the media wants: At an incident scene, after you have conferred with the Incident Commander to assess the situation, you can begin to manage the situation by making contact with the media. . Terms of Use, IS-100.b, Introduction to the Incident Command System, IS-200.b, ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents, IS-700, National Incident Management System, An Introduction, ICS-300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents, ICS-400, Advanced ICS for Command and General Staff, IS-702.a, National Incident Management System (NIMS) Public Information Systems, IS-800.c, National Response Framework, An Introduction. !]U9[MZ\waQ>yICK{",|.NH&ec* 'C/M;WrQJ6bs\ 886} Email. hbbd```b``"_H|LI&x9"$ ;Dr?*&Fvql2r S3 Allows access to one media representative from television, radio, print, and Internet to a restricted area. Contact local, tribal, territorial, and State press associations to obtain media lists. Tools to enhance the flow of public information are housed. The AP Stylebook is used by most of the news media. In Lesson 2 you learned about the many different media options you have, including: Select the right medium or right mix of media for a strategy to get your message to your target audience. Weve all seen at least one movie about flesh-eating zombies taking over (my personal favorite isResident Evil), but where do zombies come from and why do they love eating brains so much? Continue to monitor the weather., Example 3:4 Shelters remain open: MassMutual Ctr, 1277 Main St. Springfield; Quarry Hill Comm. Year in and year out, nearly 1,400 Arizonans get heat related illnesses so serious that they end up in an emergency department. It is important to build relationships with your media contacts. Some tips for building relationships with your media contacts are: It is important to prepare a list of media outlets and contacts, for everyday activities and to act quickly in an emergency. At the completion of this lesson you should be able to: The previous lesson introduced tools the PIO can use to communicate with the community. The message should be: How will you get the message to your audience? 50% C. 25% D. 5%, 9. Demonstrate that you are in the knowB. Other zombie origins shown in films include radiation from a destroyed NASA Venus probe (as inNight of the Living Dead), as well as mutations of existing conditions such as prions, mad-cow disease, measles and rabies. What is happening in other areas? Use the media area for all media releases and conferences. Additionally, it can provide those in executive-level roles with the necessary knowledge of PIO roles and responsibilities during an emergency. The most popular social networking sites have groups, which offer chat boards for members. Describe how to develop and execute a public awareness campaign. Timely updates and corrections to information in evolving incidents. I would urge you to be careful whenever you travel, Smith said. 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. Write out the full term on first usage, as appropriate. If you anticipate what they will want, you will have a better chance to manage the scene and help guide the story. You have many resources available to ensure that the information reported about an event and your organization is true and accurate. Within minutes pictures, videos, and messages about the destruction are available on social media sites, Web sites, and throughout the news media. Public information is a vital function in disaster operations that . Some tips for speaking publicly and improving your responses (or assisting and preparing a speaker) are: When distributing written products or speaking to the media, you will often need to work with a person to get your information out. Leaves the decision as to who will be in the pool to the media. . A Federal structure designed for large-scale, multijurisdictional incidents B. When a newsworthy incident occurs, the media will be there, whether youve invited them or not! The media area is a place where media congregate to help enhance the flow of information. T;)D2Dt `NY"`~XH@P ` Score .9906. The PIOs primary responsibility to organizational leadership as an advisor is to: A. Walter Monsour: So, the message was managed extremely well. All of the above, 23. For highly technical information, it might be best to prepare a credible subject-matter expert to present. You should set a realistic deadline and interim benchmarks, as needed. An important difference in these evolving media is that anyone can report the informationit could be a reporter, you, someone in your organization, or anyone in the public. 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. 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. Sit on your coat tail to keep your jacket from riding up. How or what can your community learn from these events? Join to apply for the Public Information Officer - 48752 role at University of California, Merced. Imagine your living room exploding in flames and your family cut off from the only door down the stairs from your second-floor condominium. FEMA does not endorse any non-government Web sites, companies or applications. Many different social media monitoring tools are available. For more information on AP style, go tohttp://www.apstylebook.com. Making sure community members understand the events that unfold during severe weather, pandemics, and non-emergency scenarios . Were people prepared for previous incidents? This lesson presents information on how to effectively communicate with the whole community regarding the importance of being prepared for an incident. Emergency Manager jobs 33,535 open jobs 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. One that is completely out of reach is de-motivating. (Unit 1), Describe the role and functions of the PIO. Different types of written products include the following: View actual news releases, statements, and fact sheets on the InciWeb site [http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/]. A PIOs proactive approach to public information enhances credibility in messaging. Social networking sites are online communities that connect people. Admissions Fax: (301) 447-1658, Independent Study Program A goal that makes you stretch is good. They also tell people how they can prepare for a disaster, and protect themselves when disaster strikes. The press saw it. You cant manage who shows up but you can and should manage contact with the site. C. will transfer to a planning position if no media covers an incident. Describe how to manage the news media at the scene of an incident. Chris Mrela wrote a dynamite report on this a couple of years ago. It can be taken alone or before Basic Public Information Officer Training (G290). Social media have changed how quickly information about a disaster is available. Now lets take a look at how one mayor, Mayor Kip Holden, ensures his community, the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in East Baton Rouge Parish, is prepared. What are people in your community concerned about? The Public Information Officer is responsible for interfacing with the public and media and/or with other agencies with incident-related information requirements. %PDF-1.6 % 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. Under the ICS, the PIO works for: A. 3 Step Guide for Assistance. Access to you and the newsmakers or persons in charge. 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, 2. What events nationally and globally are in the news? EMI is introducing a limited number of IS courses that have been translated to the Spanish language. In their haste, each suffered minor injuries, including stitches for their son who cut his ankle on the glass of the first floor window. Another way to express your key message B. Public information can help people make the right decision at the right time. More than 70% of the illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths are guys. When preparing written products, it is important that your message is understood. . Even the best writer can make mistakes, particularly when under pressure or in a time crunch. 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. As a PIO, your target audiences include . Joanne H. Moreau: We focus a lot on making sure that we have a very accurate and timely information process of information dissemination. Communication with internal agency personnel is A. not a role undertaken by a PIO. This awareness-level training is suitable for new PIOs. In this lesson youll learn more about creating public awareness campaigns. Through ancient voodoo and folk-lore traditions, shows like theWalking Deadwere born. Themes weaved throughout the series include the 95/5 concept and an emphasis on whole community strategic communication planning. 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. . What will you change in future campaigns? Office: (301) 447-1200 Fax: (301) 447-1201, (800) 621-FEMA / TTY (800) 462-7585 Knowing how to effectively speak to media representatives using both verbal and nonverbal communication. (For example: The suspicious package was the size of a laptop computer. Three PIOs on the scene of a crisis huddling prior to making a statement to the media. PIOs must possess good oral communication skills because they will need to present critical information and prepare other people to speak: More information on speaking and preparing speakers is presented in Lesson 3. Use examples and comparisons to help convey unfamiliar information, to paint a picture, or to help the reader relate to the information. Social marketing is the use of commercial marketing principles to: A. endstream endobj 495 0 obj <. Describe how to effectively communicate orally and through written products. B. cause the intended audience to act on requests in the message. Show emotion as appropriate, but dont use big gestures. Develop and implement your campaign by setting a goal, creating a message, choosing your medium, and identifying timing. There are all kinds of emergencies out there that we can prepare for. Once you have identified your goal, write it down! Identify how messages should be conveyed. Tell the media representatives: Follow-through goes a long way to establishing good relations with the news media. 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. They can be seasonallike hurricane preparedness week. The role of the public information officer A. is strictly dictated by the National Qualification System position task book. Note: Often micro-blogs will provide links to Web sites or social networking sites for more information. 1955 0 obj <>stream 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. Consider your resources and your role in ICS. Describe the role and functions of the Public Information Officer (PIO) Describe the types of written products used in public information activities. In the Incident Command System (ICS) structure, the Public Information Officer (PIO): A. As with ICS, the JIS is as simple or complex as the needs of the situation. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. FEMA does not endorse any non-government Web sites, companies or applications. * The social media links provided are for reference only. (What will motivate them?). The rise of zombies in pop culture has given credence to the idea that a zombie apocalypse could happen. Provide information and updates in a timely manner. Next you need to identifyhowyou will communicate. Evaluation is crucial for judging the effectiveness of a public awareness campaign. 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. Operates with the understanding that any video, audio, or interviews acquired will be shared with the rest of the media. For example, change the location or angle of the lectern so cameras dont capture an unwanted view. D. a required responsibility of the PIO as outlined by NIMS.. Develop and pre-test materials C. Develop an action planD. Sound bite B. Communicating public information messages internally to the workforce is important because it allows the PIO to: A. 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. This course can provide a basic understanding of the PIO function for those new to the position. 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. Two PIOs talking to each other on the phone about a news story that involves both of their agencies. For each of these toolstelevision, newspaper, radio, news briefings, and evolving mediayou need written products. Recall preparation techniques that contribute to a successful media interview. Do you know what to do to protect yourself and your family? 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? Students also learn message development and . * The social media links provided are for reference only. You can find the complete list of courses in the Spanish language course list. A validation of your key message C. Backgrounders D. Photos, charts, and graphics, 25. A tornado strikes in the Midwest. the feedback has been, you know, we appreciate this. When will you implement your campaign? The Incident Commander B. Supporting information can be described as: A. Coordinate access to policymakers and others (e.g., first responders and disaster survivors). The Governors declaration allows the use of State resources in paying the costs of fighting the fire. Describe evolving media tools, including social media, for communication. 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!). If you use an acronym, make sure your audience understands it. 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. Use natural gestures, but dont cross your arms, raise your eyebrows, shrug your shoulders, sway, or bounce. All social networking sites allow users to find people they know among the members, or look for other members with similar interests or affiliations. For more information on the Public Information Officer training program, contact FEMA-Master_PIO_Program@fema.dhs.gov. Message mapping B. Dissemination C. Tracking and documentation D. Media analysis. What are priorities within your organization? What do you want people to know or do after hearing your message? Narrator: While responding to disasters, Mayor Holden and his staff began to realize that many of the issues they faced repeatedly could be eliminated if the public was better prepared. You can learn how to protect yourself from heat with some resources on our website including our Heat Brochure, Heat Related Illness Tips for Schools and our newly revised Heat Emergency Response Plan. List the skills needed to be an effective PIO. Goals should be stated in clear, concise terms that have meaning for those working on the campaign and other key stakeholders. Possess and enhance certain qualities and skills that make an effective PIO. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is:A. 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. C. Identify all the news media covering the area. Prepare a Go Kit filled with your tools, contact information, and other vital documents. 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 This lesson reviews the four steps in creating a public awareness campaign. Establishing relationships with news media representatives by being accessible and prepared. The following was originally posted on CDC Public Health Matters Blog on May 16, 2011, by Ali S. Khan. The 8-Step Communication Model includes:A. Assess the current situation B. The test questions are scrambled to protect the integrity of the exam. Emergency Management Institute Avoid fillers (um, er, uh); dont be afraid to pause while formulating an answer. Describe how to have a successful relationship with the news media. Serves as an advisor to the Incident Commander. This course can provide a basic understanding of the PIO function for those new to the position. The EMI training program provides PIOs with the opportunity to learn and practice the tasks of gathering, verifying, coordinating, and disseminating public information at all levels of government.. There are also professional social networking sites with sections for jobs. endstream endobj 1929 0 obj <. They can be timelesslike encouraging children to be active. For different audiences, you may need to write different products. B. is not bound by public record laws. In other words, express parallel ideas in parallel grammatical forms. Resident/Non-Resident, Trainer Program, etc. A media pool: Note: Media pools can cause disagreements among the media. Responsibilities of the Components of the ICS Organization. Emergency management knowledge including an understanding of NIMS, ICS, the JIS, and the JIC. They have access to the officials. 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.

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