the role of the public information officer fema

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. 95% B. This course should take approximately 7 hours and 25 minutes to complete. 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. Did the message reach the targeted audience? Select this link to access a printable . Recall preparation techniques that contribute to a successful media interview. Office: (301) 447-1200 Fax: (301) 447-1201, (800) 621-FEMA / TTY (800) 462-7585 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. The Sonoran Desert will be among the hottest places on the globe for the next 4 months. 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. Narrator: Red Stick Ready targets every segment of the community. The Zombie Survival Guide identifies the cause of zombies as a virus called solanum. if4-0lP,H^F1!P`8FF@T br.afQP0G@U@} )F%H (wtP9 lF `PFn*Lks]k^s9LgsXxh|s ]bpa The Public Information Officer Awareness Course (IS0029) is designed to familiarize participants with the concepts underlying the PIO role. B. report to the Finance/Admin Section Chief when arriving at an incident. Show emotion as appropriate, but dont use big gestures. Sometimes logging in for a session is recommended, to create a wiki-signature cookie for signing edits automatically. 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. I would urge you to be careful whenever you travel, Smith said. C. request additional assistance through the National Public Information Support Network. Always connect with the Incident Commander before making any statement to the media. Public Information and Warning . Tell the media representatives: Follow-through goes a long way to establishing good relations with the news media. Describe how to manage the news media at the scene of an incident. Possess and enhance certain qualities and skills that make an effective PIO. 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. Identify how messages should be conveyed. %%EOF Speak to several members of the media at one time, especially during an incident. endstream endobj 1929 0 obj <. An important part of the PIOs role is to prepare written products, so the PIO must be able to write clearly and effectively. 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. endstream endobj startxref (Incorrect), John enjoys boating, swimming, and fishing. The heat on the desert floor isnt just a nuisance, its expensive & lethal. 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. IS 29.A Public Information Officer Exam Questions | FEMACourses All social networking sites allow users to find people they know among the members, or look for other members with similar interests or affiliations. They will go other places to get other information (local citizen reactions, sidebar stories, etc.). The Mayors Office developed an outreach campaign known as Red Stick Ready. Develop and pre-test materials C. Develop an action planD. This lesson focused on how to communicate effectively, which involves: In the next lesson you will learn how to use your tools and skills to communicate information about being prepared to your community. T;)D2Dt `NY"`~XH@P ` Transparency in government promotes efficiency and effectiveness and allows the people in your community to understand and participate in your processes. C. is a failed theory and should not be used by modern public information officers. For each of these toolstelevision, newspaper, radio, news briefings, and evolving mediayou need written products. . In a crisis, getting the right information to the right people at the right time is more important than catching a dangling participle! hb```"g@($CC4i9"Mp1:u3;;:*&d@|Hh 9C$,;30K2=e$b00 D! Is the conduit for information to internal and external stakeholders. Message mapping B. Dissemination C. Tracking and documentation D. Media analysis. 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. Additionally, it can provide those in executive level roles the necessary knowledge of PIO roles and responsibilities during an emergency. Different types of Web sites can be used to get information to your community: Email is another way that you can get information to members of your community and organization. Through ancient voodoo and folk-lore traditions, shows like theWalking Deadwere born. A campaign on hurricane awareness wont get much play in December. 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. Provide public information, emergency public information, and community education to your internal and external target audiences. 0. The process for ensuring that a public information message was accurately conveyed is typically called: A. (Unit 1), Describe the role and functions of the PIO. Click on a program for additional information. Radio is a form of broadcast technology that has the following needs, advantages, and limitations. A directory of your organizations Internet presence. Social media have changed how quickly information about a disaster is available. Communicate information to enable people to prepare for an incident and to make decisions during an incident to protect lives and property. The public information officer for an organization A. should clear all public documents with neighboring agencies before release. For some incidents, implementing a media area may be an important way to manage the situation. Measurement is how you evaluate success, but make sure your numbers reflect significant achievement. hbbd```b``+@$S4X$ vA$[0,v DI%09D`vH2& H/ `{I 30 0 `B Promote government programs and activities B. We wanted questions answered, we wanted stories to be able to do, and we had one place to go to and that was great. If you anticipate what they will want, you will have a better chance to manage the scene and help guide the story. What actions and resources are being used to achieve the objectives? Zoom lenses, parabolic microphones, and just plain observant reporters may be able to discover sensitive or protected information from your incident command post (e.g., zoom shots of maps, recorded conversations, etc.). 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). These people are your target audience. 18. This lesson presents information on how to effectively communicate with the whole community regarding the importance of being prepared for an incident. Access to the scene for information and images. 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. Public Information Officer Jobs and Salary This course has presented you with tools that PIOs can use to communicate, the steps to develop a campaign to prepare your community, and ways to effectively provide critical information during an emergency. The median, annual pay for public relations specialists, during the same period, was $52,090, with the top 10 . Demonstrate that you are in the knowB. Some tips to contribute to your success when managing information during an emergency are: A Go Kit is a mobile response kit that allows PIOs to function in the event that they are working outside of their normal place of operation. 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. 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. Campaigns are usually multifaceted, combining events and various media to get the message out. Successful blogs are compelling and current, and encourage interaction with readers. The PIOs primary responsibility to organizational leadership as an advisor is to: A. (Passive). Themes weaved throughout the series include the 95/5 concept and an emphasis on whole community strategic communication planning. This awareness-level training is suitable for new PIOs. Emergency management guidance for public- and private-sector organizations C. A database of Federal-level emergency incidents D. Another name for the National Response Framework, 21. endstream endobj startxref A Federal structure designed for large-scale, multijurisdictional incidents B. In this lesson youll learn more about creating public awareness campaigns. Evaluation is crucial for judging the effectiveness of a public awareness campaign. The 8-Step Communication Model includes:A. Assess the current situation B. EMI is introducing a limited number of IS courses that have been translated to the Spanish language. 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. 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.. Understand the National Incident Management System, Incident Command System and their correlation with the emergency response system. Describe the target audiences for the PIO. %PDF-1.6 % For example: Active voice is clear, direct, and concise. They can be used for personal networking, professional networking, and sharing public information. 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. 1. Final Exam for: IS-29.a: Public Information Officer. Describe how to have a successful relationship 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. Describe the role and function of the PIO. The press saw it. 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. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is:A. User: The Public Information Officer: A. Interfaces with the public and media and/or with other agencies regarding incident-related information requirements. Use jargon to communicate with your target audience B. Public information is a vital function in disaster operations that . 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. The AP Stylebook is used by most of the news media. 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. 20. The Incident Command System is a fundamental element of emergency management. Resource Typing Definition for Response . Uses correct grammar and contains no spelling or punctuation errors. In their zeal to get the story reporters may not always recognize the potential for danger to themselves. 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. Gather, verify, coordinate, and disseminate public information in an emergency from a Joint Information Center. 3 Step Guide for Assistance. D. seek media release approval from the Communication Unit Leader., 24. One of the advantages of the Incident Command System (ICS) is: A. . Coordinate access to policymakers and others (e.g., first responders and disaster survivors). The highest-ranking State official C. His/her regular boss D. The Operations Section Chief, 13. Describe the role and functions of the Public Information Officer (PIO) Describe the types of written products used in public information activities. Take a zombie apocalypse for example. They can be seasonallike hurricane preparedness week. Work within the emergency management system. Even the best writer can make mistakes, particularly when under pressure or in a time crunch. 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). Its community preparedness. 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 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. The JIS is a system that ensures coordination and integration of information across jurisdictions, organizations, and agencies during an incident. 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. Influence an audience to modify behavior C. Sell government or nonprofit products and programs D. Enhance social media, 11. Announce events of interest to your community or share information about an incident. 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. As a PIO, your target audiences include . Coming back after the fire to retrieve them, their ghostly shadows left indelible evidence of the inferno that swept through their home. Weegy: The role of the pubic information officer is to gather facts and disseminate it to the media. When considering whether a goal is attainable, ask yourself: Do I have the skills and resourcesor can I get themto achieve this goal? * The social media links provided are for reference only. 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. Sit on your coat tail to keep your jacket from riding up. hb```f``z B@16 @>cC?v,gY&9w=K{mg,XRV3Z'le Hundreds are so ill that they end up being admitted to the hospital. 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). Participants will benefit from participating in entry-level incident command system training prior to taking this course. This includes: More information on learning about the whole community is presented in Lesson 4. A. Do not be afraid to put bad news first if that is the message. Avoid visuals C. Chunk content to make it more scannable D. Maximize search results by using acronyms, 6. This training focuses on both parts of the equation. Who is likely to be affected by the hazard or threat? You have many resources available to ensure that the information reported about an event and your organization is true and accurate. School, 43 Margaret St. . 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. The Governor repeated his request that everyone use caution and heed warning messages on TV and radio, or in their newspapers. Serves as a press secretary for the Agency Executive or Senior Official during the incident. Is there any restriction on the information to be released? Add to the measurable statistics C. Enlist support and involvement of organization personnel while communicating a consistent message D. Demonstrate commitment to the organization, 16. Include information on evolving media contacts, instructions, and resources. This course can provide a basic understanding of the PIO function for those new to the position. 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. First name. 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 .. Knowing how to effectively speak to media representatives using both verbal and nonverbal communication. 494 0 obj <> endobj The benefits of social media include the following capabilities: New social media tools are being developed and implemented all the time. 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. 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. 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. Speculation C. Summarizing D. Bridging, 12. What is happening in other areas? Technology allows anyone to be a journalist. Images, sound, and information captured by the public can be used by traditional news organizations, or posted to social media sites, and broadcast globally. People have a right and a need to know about the risks they face. Tammy Kikuchi: Having the Joint Information Center for this event was critical. The Public Information Officer is responsible for interfacing with the public and media and/or with other agencies with incident-related information requirements. Successful written communication conveys your key messages and: More information on writing clearly and effectively is presented in Lesson 3. 19. Having clear goals is the foundation for your campaign. What do you want people to know or do after hearing your message? Additionally, it can provide those in executive-level roles with the necessary knowledge of PIO roles and responsibilities during an emergency. The rise of zombies in pop culture has given credence to the idea that a zombie apocalypse could happen. An important part of your role as a PIO is to communicate with your community before something happens. In the next lesson you will learn how to communicate effectively when an incident happens. It is important to build relationships with your media contacts. C. will transfer to a planning position if no media covers an incident. The role of the public information officer A. is strictly dictated by the National Qualification System position task book. Two PIOs talking to each other on the phone about a news story that involves both of their agencies. To help you in monitoring conversations on social media sites, you may want to use a social media monitoring tool or social media dashboard. ), John enjoys boating, swimming, and to fish. Guidance on COVID protections for EMI students, and the CDC Coronavirus page for the latest updates on the pandemic response. 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. A defining characteristic of wiki technology is the ease with which pages can be created and updated. Once your campaign is implemented, the last step is to determine its success. 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. When a newsworthy incident occurs, the media will be there, whether youve invited them or not! Grab the attention of your readers so that they will continue reading. Responds to the media while respecting restrictions on the release of sensitive information. A goal that makes you stretch is good. NIMS describes the use of the Joint Information System (JIS) to complete the critical tasks of information sharing and coordination. 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. Identify contacts and sources that are relevant to your organization. Make sure the media area is far enough away and/or your workspaces are shielded from prying cameras, microphones, and eyes. Mayor Holden: Sometimes you have to get your story out very quickly. if you do not have a sid, Test questions are scrambled to protect test integrity. Increased information needs can be handled. Over 150 PIOs working a major disaster, often from different locationsall to ensure clear and accurate information is being delivered amid the confusion of a disaster response. After taking this course you may want to take other courses to help you continue your professional development. Here are the FEMA test answers to IS-29.A: Public Information Officer Awareness. This awareness-level training is suitable for new PIOs. 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 role of the public information officer fema 2023