the role of the public information officer fema

Email can be used to get people: In order for email to work, you need to have a good email distribution list. Determining hazard impact is a crucial component in emergency planning. A PIOs proactive approach to public information enhances credibility in messaging. When preparing written products, it is important that your message is understood. 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. Some examples include traditional media using: An important step when communicating is to continually evaluate and adjust your message by monitoring the media. Themes weaved throughout the series include the 95/5 concept and an emphasis on whole community strategic communication planning. Year in and year out, nearly 1,400 Arizonans get heat related illnesses so serious that they end up in an emergency department. (Unit 3), Recall preparation techniques that contribute to a successful media interview. Include information on evolving media contacts, instructions, and resources. Narrator: In addition to a preparedness television show and Mayor Mouse, Red Stick Ready also communicates preparedness information through a Web site, the use of social media, and events like Red Stick Ready Day. D. seek media release approval from the Communication Unit Leader., 24. Lieutenant Doug McCleve: One of the reasons why we felt it was so important to put together a Joint Information in the first, Center in the first place is because we knew that there would be all aspects of State government involved in this process from providing basic food and clothing and shelter for these people who have had nothing for up to a week. Creates a positive impression of your organization. (Incorrect), John enjoys boating, swimming, and fishing. The proliferation of this idea has led many people to wonder How do I prepare for a zombie apocalypse?. . 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). An important part of your role as a PIO is to communicate with your community before something happens. Sometimes logging in for a session is recommended, to create a wiki-signature cookie for signing edits automatically. They have access to the officials. 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!). When a newsworthy incident occurs, the media will be there, whether youve invited them or not! The Sonoran Desert will be among the hottest places on the globe for the next 4 months. Communication with internal agency personnel is A. not a role undertaken by a PIO. Hundreds are so ill that they end up being admitted to the hospital. 494 0 obj <> endobj To read this blog, go to:http://emergency.cdc.gov/. Brian Hyer: We had all kinds of questions. 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. Next you need to identifyhowyou will communicate. Make it less likely that your release will be cut C. Impress people in the target audience D. Be a barrier to communication, 22. Use jargon to communicate with your target audience B. Allows access to one media representative from television, radio, print, and Internet to a restricted area. B. an important part of the PIOs job. Speak to several members of the media at one time, especially during an incident. The heat on the desert floor isnt just a nuisance, its expensive & lethal. Responds to the media while respecting restrictions on the release of sensitive information. (A media pool refers to a group of news-gathering organizations pooling their resources in the collection of news.) Promote government programs and activities B. 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. Create clear and easily understood messages. 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. As a PIO, you communicate with your target audiences to keep them informed about activities, events, and resources. The 8-Step Communication Model includes:A. Assess the current situation B. 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. These examples are micro-blogs from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (Example 1), the Mayors Office of Homeland Security in Baton Rouge (LA) (Example 2), and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (Example 3). 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. One of the advantages of the Incident Command System (ICS) is: A. C. They can be used for personal networking, professional networking, and sharing public information. Many organizations follow stylebooks that establish how they will communicate with the public in terms of titles, capitalization, punctuation, and so on. 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. Campaigns that combine a mix of media are more likely to be effective in influencing people. Determines what the public needs to know. 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. Joanne H. Moreau: We are able to work with all agencies and give a real solid unified message. 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. The widespread use of social media means you and your organization need to include social media in your communication strategy. Check off the things you would plan to include in your Go Kit and add other items as you see fit. 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. With passive voice, the subject is thereceiverof the action. As a PIO, when you get to the scene, you will first make contact with the Incident Commander to gather information and assess the situation. 3 Step Guide for Assistance. 95% B. Join to apply for the Public Information Officer - 48752 role at University of California, Merced. Successful written communication conveys your key messages and: More information on writing clearly and effectively is presented in Lesson 3. They can be timelesslike encouraging children to be active. PIOs need to have a thorough understanding of the communities they serve. Increase community preparedness is not specific. 50% C. 25% D. 5%, 9. Look at the audience, but dont lock eyes with any one person and dont look into the camera. 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. The Public Information Officer may also perform a key public information-monitoring role. Increased information needs can be handled. . First name. Poor grammar and misspelled words can confuse the audience and hurt your credibility, but the most important goal is to communicate. Email is also an ideal tool for communicating within your organization because you generally have access to your colleagues email addresses. Its community preparedness. ), John enjoys boating, swimming, and to fish. C. request additional assistance through the National Public Information Support Network. The news media and local government ask the community to send videos and photos via social media, email, and text messages. 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. 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. Select this link to access a printable . Another way to express your key message B. The most important point is is an example of a transition phrase or: A. Treat all media fairlydo not play favorites with reporters. (Passive). In all cases, the campaign will include a compelling message and a clear link to the organizations overall goals and priorities. Verdi White: And I believe that that has helped in our relationship with the media. Public Information Officers | Indian Affairs - Native Americans in the Emergency Management Institute An important part of the PIOs relationship with the media is knowing what they want. endstream endobj startxref Determine who your audience is, what they need to know, and what they already know. 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). The Incident Command System is a fundamental element of emergency management. Serves as a press secretary for the Agency Executive or Senior Official during the incident. Provide information and updates in a timely manner. Guidance on COVID protections for EMI students, and the CDC Coronavirus page for the latest updates on the pandemic response. What is in it for them? 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). Students also learn message development and . 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. If a media pool is not an option, consider providing professional-quality images to the media in the form of video and stills. Many times the site of a crisis or disaster may be considered a crime scene and needs to be processed by forensic units. For more information on AP style, go tohttp://www.apstylebook.com. 0 ), Prescription medications; basic first-aid supplies, Weather gear (e.g., rain poncho, gloves, sunscreen). As a PIO, you need to: In the next lesson you will learn about various tools available to you for communicating with the community. 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 3. Avoid fillers (um, er, uh); dont be afraid to pause while formulating an answer. Preparing quality written products including news releases. 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. Angie Welling: Reporters understand change really well because our days are always changing, but just have that plan in place, know basically what you want to do, whos going to staff it, what will be available, what hours you will be available for the media. B. Are there warnings or other critical messages to be communicated to the public? This course introduces PIOs with no, or limited, experience to the basic skills and tools needed to communicate effectively with the public. It can be taken alone or before Basic Public Information Officer Training (G290). Announce events of interest to your community or share information about an incident. The Zombie Survival Guide identifies the cause of zombies as a virus called solanum. The press saw it. 20. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is:A. A defining characteristic of wiki technology is the ease with which pages can be created and updated. Describe the role and function of the PIO. Uses correct grammar and contains no spelling or punctuation errors. C. is presented as a bad example of public information management. 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. 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. As part of conducting research, you have identified populations in the community who are vulnerable and need the information from your campaign. Serves as an advisor to the Incident Commander. %%EOF How or what can your community learn from these events? Gathering feedback and heading off problems, Explaining your mission, policies, and goals. If you determine the need for a media area: At the scene of an incident, the news medias most basic needs are access to information and images. 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. 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. Making sure community members understand the events that unfold during severe weather, pandemics, and non-emergency scenarios . For each of these toolstelevision, newspaper, radio, news briefings, and evolving mediayou need written products. The Public Information Officer is responsible for interfacing with the public and media and/or with other agencies with incident-related information requirements. 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 Mayors Office developed an outreach campaign known as Red Stick Ready. This lesson presents information on tools you can use in support of your role as a Public Information Officer (PIO). 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. Understand the National Incident Management System, Incident Command System and their correlation with the emergency response system. 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). Contact commercial vendors to identify contacts and the process for news releases. 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. 0. 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. Thats right, I said z-o-m-b-i-e a-p-o-c-a-l-y-p-s-e. You may laugh now, but when it happens youll be happy you read this, and hey, maybe youll even learn a thing or two about how to prepare for arealemergency. FEMA does not endorse any non-government Web sites, companies or applications. There are also professional social networking sites with sections for jobs. C. Identify all the news media covering the area. C. only required when dictated by the Incident Commander. Later in the day, Deputy Mayor Mike Tracy and I stood in the same bedroom, getting a first-hand briefing from Fire Chief Kevin Rennie and Capt. Two PIOs talking to each other on the phone about a news story that involves both of their agencies. Where do they go and how do they get there (e.g., do they spend time on public transportation, do they visit the library, do they go to sporting events, etc.)? 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. Describe evolving media tools, including social media, for communication. D. Identify opportunities for public awareness campaigns. (Unit 2), Describe the types of written products used in public information activities. Manages resources including supplies, personnel, and equipment. As exemplified in the Pew Research study, people are getting information from sources other than traditional media. Develop and pre-test materials C. Develop an action planD. FEMA IS-29: Public Information Officer Awareness Answers. More than 70% of the illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths are guys. Doug Miser. It will keep you focused and is the foundation for evaluating your campaigns success. 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. (Unit 4), Given a scenario, apply the 8-Step Model to a public awareness campaign. Public information is a vital function in disaster operations that contributes greatly to saving lives and protecting property. And thats not all. [25 Test Answers] FEMA IS-29A: Public Information Officer Awareness IS-0029.a Public Information Officer Awareness 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. They also tell people how they can prepare for a disaster, and protect themselves when disaster strikes. As a PIO, you will likely communicate public information and emergency public information as well as conduct community education. 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. Public Information and Warning . Here are the FEMA test answers to IS-29.A: Public Information Officer Awareness. Ability to hold feature stories and run them when space is available or on specific dates or times of year, Audio (sound clips or telephone interviews), Prerecorded segments lack the break-in option for providing emergency information, Exaggerated nature of local television news. B. 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. Describe how to effectively communicate orally and through written products. 140-character stand-alone micro-blog statements. 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. Managing Public Information for All Hazards Incidents 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. Final Exam for: IS-29.a: Public Information Officer. The following was originally posted on CDC Public Health Matters Blog on May 16, 2011, by Ali S. Khan. wA{)K+Xk80538L``V[mvWS|?9U7 Be accessible and return calls and emails promptly. The median, annual pay for public relations specialists, during the same period, was $52,090, with the top 10 . Operates with the understanding that any video, audio, or interviews acquired will be shared with the rest of the media. 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. B. is to wait for direction from the incident commander. C. includes reporting to the Operations Section Chief during an incident response. View IS-29.a - Public Information Officer Awareness | FEMA Emergency Management Institute (EMI).pdf from CIS 20 at SUNY Empire State College. The latest information on activities, events, and resources. 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. In their haste, each suffered minor injuries, including stitches for their son who cut his ankle on the glass of the first floor window. The information you provide: In addition to the qualities necessary to be a good PIO, there are skills and knowledge you need to ensure your success. As a PIO, your target audiences include . Lets review the different types of communication tools in more detail, starting with print media. Using acronyms in news releases may:A. These people are your target audience. B. This awareness-level training is suitable for new PIOs. Traditional media (print, radio, television). For example, change the location or angle of the lectern so cameras dont capture an unwanted view. (Correct), The report was written by the officer. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. The Governor is continuing to monitor the situation. 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: A social networking site is a great tool for: Now you know about the many tools available to get your message out. 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. ), 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.) These sites make it easy to establish networks of contacts. Do you follow through? Were people prepared for previous incidents? What is the Role of a Public Information Officer (PIO)? 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. Switchboard: (301) 447-1000 Additionally, it can provide those in executive-level roles with the necessary knowledge of PIO roles and responsibilities during an emergency. Identify how messages should be conveyed. Proactivity occurs during A. Technology has a great impact on your ability to manage the message. Social Media: Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse. Score .9906. The fire started near Harvest Junction on the railroad and the fumes from the burning hazardous materials in the cars threaten a number of nearby communities, according to local authorities. NIMS describes the use of the Joint Information System (JIS) to complete the critical tasks of information sharing and coordination. What problems are you having in your community? 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. Having clear goals is the foundation for your campaign. Use examples and comparisons to help convey unfamiliar information, to paint a picture, or to help the reader relate to the information. 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. Emergency Manager jobs 33,535 open jobs Although firefighters were able to knock down the blaze before it reached the parents bedroom, the smoke-blackened walls dramatically underscored how lucky they were to escape with their lives. In 2008, the average per-person hospital treatment cost for heat related illnesses in Arizona was about $7,500, leading to a whopping $11M in treatment costs. Avoid acronyms. Holding the session indoors, if possible. Media pools are used to restrict access to an area due to space limitations or safety issues. Do they have special communication needs (e.g., visual or hearing impairments, or limited English proficiency)? Describe the role of the Public Information Officer (PIO) in an emergency. Timely updates and corrections to information in evolving incidents. Do not be afraid to put bad news first if that is the message. Better yet is the number of people who call and request preparedness kits! 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. 1. Tammy Kikuchi: Having the Joint Information Center for this event was critical. 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.. This lesson reviews the four steps in creating a public awareness campaign. . 1. 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. 18. Supporting information can be described as: A. This lesson presents information on how to use your tools and relationships to communicate information to the community when something happens. Mayor Holden: By having that access it really helped us to quell the various rumors that were out there and we were able to keep the situation calm. A well-executed interview will likely not A. advance leaderships goals. NIMS Description of the PIOs Responsibilities. This lesson presents information on how to effectively communicate with the media and the whole community.

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