Please review the IS FAQ's for more information. The JIS is a system that ensures coordination and integration of information across jurisdictions, organizations, and agencies during an incident. For highly visible or controversial matters, it might be best to have a leader in the organization speak. Youll be quite surprised at how the elected official mouse makes all the difference with the children. Having clear goals is the foundation for your campaign. Contact local, tribal, territorial, and State press associations to obtain media lists. Traditional media (print, radio, television). One of the advantages of the Incident Command System (ICS) is: A. When creating your media list: Media information is constantly changing; make sure you have a process to keep your media list up-to-date. 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. Communicating factual information with the public is the most important job function of a PIO. Once you have identified your goal, write it down! Public awareness campaigns can run for weeks, months, or even sporadically throughout several years. Public Information and Warning . Many wikis are open to alteration by the general public without requiring them to register user accounts. What is the community sentiment toward your organization or the issue? Office: (301) 447-1200 Fax: (301) 447-1201, (800) 621-FEMA / TTY (800) 462-7585 The Governor repeated his request that everyone use caution and heed warning messages on TV and radio, or in their newspapers. 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. D. Identify opportunities for public awareness campaigns. There are all kinds of emergencies out there that we can prepare for. endstream endobj 495 0 obj <. Another way to express your key message B. The Public Information Officer may also perform a key public information-monitoring role. Describe the role and functions of the Public Information Officer (PIO) Describe the types of written products used in public information activities. Dont date your materials by using the year or referring to news events that will become out-of-date quickly. Take a zombie apocalypse for example. 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. 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. Describe the role and function of the PIO. Jeff Leduff: We are the first line of information for the rest of the team because were out there all the time. Themes weaved throughout the series include the 95/5 concept and an emphasis on whole community strategic communication planning. Click on a program for additional information. 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. 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. Campaigns that combine a mix of media are more likely to be effective in influencing people. As a PIO, you communicate with your target audiences to keep them informed about activities, events, and resources. 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. 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. 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. if4-0lP,H^F1!P`8FF@T br.afQP0G@U@} )F%H (wtP9 lF `PFn*Lks]k^s9LgsXxh|s ]bpa News releases should adhere to the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook. Understand the National Incident Management System, Incident Command System and their correlation with the emergency response system. Media pools are used to restrict access to an area due to space limitations or safety issues. 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. The following table shows what you need to provide for a television story, the advantages of television, and its limitations. A defining characteristic of wiki technology is the ease with which pages can be created and updated. What problems are you having in your community? 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. Joanne H. Moreau: The media is embedded in our Emergency Operations Center. Campaigns are usually multifaceted, combining events and various media to get the message out. (Correct), The report was written by the officer. Lets look at some general descriptions of social media available: Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. The AP Stylebook is used by most of the news media. Although its meaning has changed slightly over the years, it refers to a human corpse mysteriously reanimated to serve the undead. The widespread use of social media means you and your organization need to include social media in your communication strategy. 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. They focus on specific issues or programs to move the public to take action. Demonstrating an understanding of media needs and operations. It was four, five, and six teams from every news, particularly the TV stations sending out that many cameras with that many reporters from each station and it just was incredible, not to mention the newspapers, the radio stations, the smaller papers in the area plus national media. 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. To help you in monitoring conversations on social media sites, you may want to use a social media monitoring tool or social media dashboard. Its community preparedness. Determine information to be communicated to the public. Prepare a Go Kit filled with your tools, contact information, and other vital documents. B. describes a writing technique applied to social media content. Imagine your living room exploding in flames and your family cut off from the only door down the stairs from your second-floor condominium. The latest information on activities, events, and resources. 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. This lesson introduced you to different tools you can use to communicate your message as a PIO, including: In the next lesson you will learn how to prepare quality written products for these tools and how to speak effectively with the media and to the public. Media management skills including knowing what the media wants, managing amateur journalists, and using media pools and media areas. As a PIO, your target audiences include . B. These tools allow you to use key word searches and provide you with updates in your email or through an RSS feed or through the tools Web site. 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 ., Example 2:There is more severe weather on the way as a large storm cell is moving across Livingston Parish into EBR. 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. Private wiki servers require user authentication to edit pages, and sometimes even to read them. Video sharing sites to expand or market a story, and. 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. 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. 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. B. Under the ICS, the PIO works for: A. 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. Serves as a press secretary for the Agency Executive or Senior Official during the incident. Coming back after the fire to retrieve them, their ghostly shadows left indelible evidence of the inferno that swept through their home. What is in it for them? Work within the emergency management system. Mayor Holden: We have what they call Mayor Mouse, and Mayor Mouse basically is operated to go to various schools. The public information officer for an organization A. should clear all public documents with neighboring agencies before release. For highly technical information, it might be best to prepare a credible subject-matter expert to present. Communication with internal agency personnel is A. not a role undertaken by a PIO. Now that you have some tips for better writing, lets look at how to write a news release. Social media have changed how quickly information about a disaster is available. 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. A social networking site is a great tool for: Now you know about the many tools available to get your message out. Many edits, however, can be made in real-time and appear almost instantly online. Determine who your audience is, what they need to know, and what they already know. Spelling- and grammar-checking tools (printed and computer software). Describe traditional media available for communication. (Unit 3), Recall preparation techniques that contribute to a successful media interview. Many times the site of a crisis or disaster may be considered a crime scene and needs to be processed by forensic units. Manages resources including supplies, personnel, and equipment. 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). Keep the subject and verb close together. The Governor is continuing to monitor the situation. Public information can help people make the right decision at the right time. A micro-blog is a type of blog where the message is shorter. Promote government programs and activities B. . * Redundancy is important in case the computer you are using doesnt have an available or operating USB port or CD drive. FEMA does not endorse any non-government Web sites, companies or applications. 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. Describe how to develop and execute a public awareness campaign. The Public Information Officer is responsible for interfacing with the public and media and/or with other agencies with incident-related information requirements. Use examples and comparisons to help convey unfamiliar information, to paint a picture, or to help the reader relate to the information. 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. Select the correct definition External Affairs 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. B. is not bound by public record laws. The 8-Step Communication Model includes:A. Assess the current situation B. In the next lesson you will learn how to communicate effectively when an incident happens. (Unit 4), Given a scenario, apply the 8-Step Model to a public awareness campaign. Provide public information, emergency public information, and community education to your internal and external target audiences. The subject is the. 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. 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. Print medianewspapers and magazinesare the first type of mass media developed. 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. 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. 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. Emergency Manager jobs 33,535 open jobs He and his wife threw open their window and helped their kids drop to waiting neighbors gathered below. or a non-emergency event. Mayor Holden: We need to get in advance of different things that could happen, and begin to put a television show together to talk about the things that people should be aware of and what they can do. B. cause the intended audience to act on requests in the message. Web sites can link to social media sites, help you collect email addresses, display videos, house blogs, or link to other Web sites. Admissions Fax: (301) 447-1658, Independent Study Program This course can provide a basic understanding of the PIO function for those new to the position. The median, annual pay for public relations specialists, during the same period, was $52,090, with the top 10 . 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). Final Exam for: IS-29.a: Public Information Officer. The benefits of social media include the following capabilities: New social media tools are being developed and implemented all the time. %%EOF Tornadoes or wildfires in neighboring States may increase your communitys interest in preparedness. A. You can find the complete list of courses in the Spanish language course list. Switchboard: (301) 447-1000 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. 1. Resource Typing Definition for Response . Possess and enhance certain qualities and skills that make an effective PIO. . 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.. What is happening in other areas? Make it less likely that your release will be cut C. Impress people in the target audience D. Be a barrier to communication, 22. They knew that they werent being led down another road, that they were hearing things unfiltered. 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? ICS is used to manage an emergency incident (like a wildland fire, search and rescue, hurricane, etc.) . I would urge you to be careful whenever you travel, Smith said. You need to write to your audience. For more information on the Public Information Officer training program, contact FEMA-Master_PIO_Program@fema.dhs.gov. The most important point is is an example of a transition phrase or: A. The Governor declared the emergency following a similar declaration by Liberty County. Once again, we see a fire threatening our citizens and their homes. 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. 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. Consider your resources and your role in ICS. 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. Many different social media monitoring tools are available. ), Prescription medications; basic first-aid supplies, Weather gear (e.g., rain poncho, gloves, sunscreen). The press saw it. The news media and local government ask the community to send videos and photos via social media, email, and text messages. Establish contact with other agency PIOs. Additionally, it can provide those in executive-level roles with the necessary knowledge of PIO roles and responsibilities during an emergency. nEAH {27(L( o 5UR\sR%or=uG5($#MJ (2*8T-\< Email is also an ideal tool for communicating within your organization because you generally have access to your colleagues email addresses. Two PIOs talking to each other on the phone about a news story that involves both of their agencies. Avoid getting involved in these media disputes. Practice talking in 5-second to 8-second sound bites. endstream endobj startxref Social Marketing A. theory is an important component of the strategic communications planning process. B. requires in-depth focus groups to focus the message. The heat on the desert floor isnt just a nuisance, its expensive & lethal. Establishing relationships with news media representatives by being accessible and prepared. Treat all media fairlydo not play favorites with reporters. 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. 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. %%EOF Another way to get information to the media or public is by directly sharing with multiple members of the media through a news conference or briefing. This demonstrates how social media are now an integral part of our lives and a valuable part of the PIOs toolkit. Develop relationships with other organizations PIOs B. With the advent of social media, another type of news release you may want to use is the Social Media Release (SMR). Social networking sites are online communities that connect people. C. Monitors costs related to the incident, and provides . The proliferation of this idea has led many people to wonder How do I prepare for a zombie apocalypse?. The Sonoran Desert will be among the hottest places on the globe for the next 4 months. When a newsworthy incident occurs, the media will be there, whether youve invited them or not! You have many resources available to ensure that the information reported about an event and your organization is true and accurate. A PIOs proactive approach to public information enhances credibility in messaging. Uses correct grammar and contains no spelling or punctuation errors. 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 Proactivity occurs during A. These people are your target audience. Example: Press Release Using Inverted Pyramid Format. %PDF-1.6 % Angie Welling: Pretty much every State agency was involved, and thats when we found out pretty early on that the Governor had involved every aspect of State government. 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). As a PIO, you need to: In the next lesson you will learn about various tools available to you for communicating with the community. This lesson presents information on how to use your tools and relationships to communicate information to the community when something happens. You should set a realistic deadline and interim benchmarks, as needed. 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. Recognize various legal aspects associated with emergencies and public information. This lesson presents information on tools you can use in support of your role as a Public Information Officer (PIO). List the skills needed to be an effective PIO. View IS-29.a - Public Information Officer Awareness | FEMA Emergency Management Institute (EMI).pdf from CIS 20 at SUNY Empire State College. (What will motivate them?). They can be used for personal networking, professional networking, and sharing public information. This lesson presents information on how to effectively communicate with the whole community regarding the importance of being prepared for an incident. It will keep you focused and is the foundation for evaluating your campaigns success. If you do not want something recorded by the media, cover it up or shield it with a vehicle. Describe how to manage the news media at the scene of an incident. Contact commercial vendors to identify contacts and the process for news releases. When preparing written products, it is important that your message is understood. C. request additional assistance through the National Public Information Support Network. 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.. PIOs need to have a thorough understanding of the communities they serve. Members of the media do not want to interfere with these tasks, but if they can get close enough to observe and/or photograph they will be happy. 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. Emergency Management Institute At the completion of this course you should be able to: The remainder of this lesson presents information on your role as a Public Information Officer (PIO). 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. Grab the attention of your readers so that they will continue reading. 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. The Governors declaration allows the use of State resources in paying the costs of fighting the fire. Demonstrate that you are in the knowB. *F ;/7Bw1p i~$^y' _r] Creates a positive impression of your organization. This physical site is called the Joint Information Center (JIC), and is the location where: Narrator: When the State of Utah began to accept evacuees from the Gulf States as a result of the devastation from Hurricane Katrina, they implemented a Joint Information Center. For example: Active voice is clear, direct, and concise. Successful blogs are compelling and current, and encourage interaction with readers. Policies for evolving media (e.g., who can post, what can be posted, how to respond to negative comments, etc.). 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. Guidance on COVID protections for EMI students, and the CDC Coronavirus page for the latest updates on the pandemic response. The media area is a place where media congregate to help enhance the flow of information. * The social media links provided are for reference only. PIOs get their message out by communicating directly with the public, working through the traditional news media and through new media. The process for ensuring that a public information message was accurately conveyed is typically called: A. 140-character stand-alone micro-blog statements. . 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. It is important to prepare each person to ensure your message is consistent. 'Ss S>*2MbX^f Provide information and updates in a timely manner. Different types of written products include the following: View actual news releases, statements, and fact sheets on the InciWeb site [http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/]. 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. 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.