D. should be knowledgeable, assertive, credible, flexible, able to perform under pressure, and accessible., 10. 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. Supporting information can be described as: A. Brian Hyer: We had all kinds of questions. B. is to wait for direction from the incident commander. C. includes reporting to the Operations Section Chief during an incident response. C. Monitors costs related to the incident, and provides . Successful written communication conveys your key messages and: More information on writing clearly and effectively is presented in Lesson 3. Public information entails the processes and systems that enable effective communications with various target audiences. 0 The Governor is continuing to monitor the situation. Switchboard: (301) 447-1000 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. Blogs to cover events as they are happening. This lesson presents information on how to effectively communicate with the media and the whole community. Monitor to determine if the media coverage is: Whether or not your organization is using social media, you should still monitor it. It also helps identify the target audience for a particular public awareness campaign. What is happening in other areas? 1. Private wiki servers require user authentication to edit pages, and sometimes even to read them. Well, were here to answer that question for you, and hopefully share a few tips about preparing forrealemergencies too! The Sonoran Desert will be among the hottest places on the globe for the next 4 months. Coming back after the fire to retrieve them, their ghostly shadows left indelible evidence of the inferno that swept through their home. Additionally, it can provide those in executive level roles the necessary knowledge of PIO roles and responsibilities during an emergency. The Zombie Survival Guide identifies the cause of zombies as a virus called solanum. 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. Joanne H. Moreau: We focus a lot on making sure that we have a very accurate and timely information process of information dissemination. Policies for evolving media (e.g., who can post, what can be posted, how to respond to negative comments, etc.). How or what can your community learn from these events? News releases are one of the most commonly used tools for PIOs. The Incident Commander B. Provide information and updates in a timely manner. Measurement is how you evaluate success, but make sure your numbers reflect significant achievement. 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. Within minutes pictures, videos, and messages about the destruction are available on social media sites, Web sites, and throughout the news media. 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. 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. 19. Develop and pre-test materials C. Develop an action planD. Office: (301) 447-1200 Fax: (301) 447-1201, (800) 621-FEMA / TTY (800) 462-7585 While local, tribal, territorial, and State governments may have different laws regarding transparency and open government the general principles are to be: As a PIO, it is important to know the laws that apply in your area because of your role in providing information to the public. 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. Check off the things you would plan to include in your Go Kit and add other items as you see fit. To read this blog, go to:http://emergency.cdc.gov/. Select the right media to reach the target audience. Questions to answer when evaluating a public awareness campaign include the following: You can collect data about your campaign in different ways. Demonstrating an understanding of media needs and operations. 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? Are there warnings or other critical messages to be communicated to the public? 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. Under the ICS, the PIO works for: A. The median, annual pay for public relations specialists, during the same period, was $52,090, with the top 10 . In all cases, the campaign will include a compelling message and a clear link to the organizations overall goals and priorities. Students also learn message development and delivery, legal considerations, press conferences, the operation of a Joint Information Center, stress management, and strategic communication and planning. Salary Statistics for Public Information Officers. The most important point is is an example of a transition phrase or: A. Campaigns that combine a mix of media are more likely to be effective in influencing people. Now that you have some tips for better writing, lets look at how to write a news release. Keep the subject and verb close together. For example, change the location or angle of the lectern so cameras dont capture an unwanted view. 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. That you will get them information and be back to brief themand then do so. 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.). First name. For more information on the Public Information Officer training program, contact FEMA-Master_PIO_Program@fema.dhs.gov. 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. Recall preparation techniques that contribute to a successful media interview. 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.)? A well-executed interview will likely not A. advance leaderships goals. Determine information to be communicated to the public. Are there cultural differences to take into consideration? 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!). 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). Increase community preparedness is not specific. Describe how to effectively communicate orally and through written products. Your goals should be: The following is an example of a SMART goal: The Hurricane Ready campaign will present information about local hurricane hazards and the steps to take to be prepared by securing by April 5 media placement on three television stations, two newspapers, one social network, and a micro-blog, each week in May.. In your communication strategy, identify how you will use social media by itself and together with traditional media to prepare your community for emergencies, and to provide them with life-saving information when an incident occurs. Goals should be stated in clear, concise terms that have meaning for those working on the campaign and other key stakeholders. 524 0 obj <>stream In order to maintain the integrity of the scene and enhance the possibility for a successful investigation and subsequent prosecution, the scene must be kept clear of all nonessential personnel. Generally, there is no review before modifications are accepted. Identify contacts and sources that are relevant to your organization. Communicating public information messages internally to the workforce is important because it allows the PIO to: A. I would urge you to be careful whenever you travel, Smith said. Make sure the media area is far enough away and/or your workspaces are shielded from prying cameras, microphones, and eyes. Communicates with internal and external stakeholders. 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. Even the best writer can make mistakes, particularly when under pressure or in a time crunch. Operates with the understanding that any video, audio, or interviews acquired will be shared with the rest of the media. The public information officer (PIO) reports to the incident commander, who in turn reports to the agency or jurisdictions responsible. The Public Information Officer may also perform a key public information-monitoring role. Use natural gestures, but dont cross your arms, raise your eyebrows, shrug your shoulders, sway, or bounce. C. request additional assistance through the National Public Information Support Network. Create clear and easily understood messages. 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. Office: (301) 447-1200 Fax: (301) 447-1201, (800) 621-FEMA / TTY (800) 462-7585 The widespread use of social media means you and your organization need to include social media in your communication strategy. Social networking sites are online communities that connect people. 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. [25 Test Answers] FEMA IS-29A: Public Information Officer Awareness A goal that makes you stretch is good. They focus on specific issues or programs to move the public to take action. Resident/Non-Resident, Trainer Program, etc. Treat all media fairlydo not play favorites with reporters. 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. 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. Grab the attention of your readers so that they will continue reading. 494 0 obj <> endobj Time is a crucial element in any public awareness campaign. 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. Illustrate the multiple roles of the Public Information Officer and the media in planning for and responding to an emergency. Serves as a press secretary for the Agency Executive or Senior Official during the incident. Join to apply for the Public Information Officer - 48752 role at University of California, Merced. If you use an acronym, make sure your audience understands it. Establishing relationships with news media representatives by being accessible and prepared. 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. What events nationally and globally are in the news? (Unit 4), Given a scenario, apply the 8-Step Model to a public awareness campaign. 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). Click on a program for additional information. This demonstrates how social media are now an integral part of our lives and a valuable part of the PIOs toolkit. Select this link to access a printable . 3. 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. This is a release that you post online. This awareness-level training is suitable for new PIOs. Functions of the Public Information Officer - emilms.fema.gov 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? Video sharing sites to expand or market a story, and. Once you have identified your goal, write it down! If you do not want something recorded by the media, cover it up or shield it with a vehicle. (Unit 3), List the steps of the 8-Step Model for Strategic Communications. wA{)K+Xk80538L``V[mvWS|?9U7 Evaluate the effectiveness of your campaign. 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. 140-character stand-alone micro-blog statements. Develop relationships with other organizations PIOs B. Watching the background. 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. 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. what is role of public information officer in fema? Social Media: Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse. 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. With the advent of social media, another type of news release you may want to use is the Social Media Release (SMR). 16825 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727 PIOs get their message out by communicating directly with the public, working through the traditional news media and through new media. Additionally, it can provide those in executive level roles the necessary knowledge of PIO roles and . 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. Contact commercial vendors to identify contacts and the process for news releases. They can be timelesslike encouraging children to be active. Lesson 3 introduced the importance of establishing relationships with the media. You need to write to your audience. Because its money well spent in the end and if your PIOs can learn from other areas of the Nation that are doing things well, send them there, let them learn from the people who have done it before, so that when they come back they can build a system that works for you. 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. Blogs are a good tool to use to communicate with your audience. 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. Although its meaning has changed slightly over the years, it refers to a human corpse mysteriously reanimated to serve the undead. 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: 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. 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. If you anticipate what they will want, you will have a better chance to manage the scene and help guide the story. Identify the purpose of what you are writing and start with the main message. . The test questions are scrambled to protect the integrity of the exam. hbbd```b``+@$S4X$ vA$[0,v DI%09D`vH2& H/ `{I 30 0 `B Construct and deliver an appropriate crisis and emergency risk message. Possess and enhance certain qualities and skills that make an effective PIO. 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. Another way to express your key message B. In their zeal to get the story reporters may not always recognize the potential for danger to themselves. The word zombie comes from Haitian and New Orleans voodoo origins. Social media have changed how quickly information about a disaster is available. Mayor Holden: We have what they call Mayor Mouse, and Mayor Mouse basically is operated to go to various schools. You can find the complete list of courses in the Spanish language course list. * Redundancy is important in case the computer you are using doesnt have an available or operating USB port or CD drive. This training focuses on both parts of the equation. A tornado strikes in the Midwest. Their three-bedroom condo was almost immediately choked in smoke and he could hear screams from below as roaring flames billowed from the balcony outside his front door. Effective public communication involves collecting, verifying, and disseminating information to your target audiences. Uses correct grammar and contains no spelling or punctuation errors. 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. Gathering feedback and heading off problems, Explaining your mission, policies, and goals. This lesson reviews the four steps in creating a public awareness campaign. 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). If you need to build an email list, consider including a place for people to sign up on your Web site. On average, between 30 and 80 Arizona residents die from heat related illnesses every summer. 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. Is the conduit for information to internal and external stakeholders. Smith activated the State Emergency Operations Center, which coordinates State firefighting efforts in these situations. Managing public information is another fundamental element of emergency management. University of California, Merced hiring Public Information Officer Campaign topics can range from recruiting volunteers to fire safety. Coordinate information being distributed to ensure consistency with other agencies messages. Lets review the different types of communication tools in more detail, starting with print media. @8'_= J J0 NIMS provides a consistent, systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work seamlessly to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents, regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity, in order to reduce the loss of life and property and harm to the environment. Develops a strategy or plan for handling the incident, monitors it in process, and adjusts the plan as needed. if4-0lP,H^F1!P`8FF@T br.afQP0G@U@} )F%H (wtP9 lF `PFn*Lks]k^s9LgsXxh|s ]bpa With passive voice, the subject is thereceiverof the action. endstream endobj startxref D. is only useful on television infomercials. . Preparing quality written products including news releases. A. .. As demonstrated by the examples, micro-blogging has become an important source of information in preparation of, during, and after crisis situations. For example: Active voice is clear, direct, and concise. One of the advantages of the Incident Command System (ICS) is: A. 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. Determine who your audience is, what they need to know, and what they already know. the feedback has been, you know, we appreciate this. To help you in monitoring conversations on social media sites, you may want to use a social media monitoring tool or social media dashboard. Do you know what to do to protect yourself and your family? Holding the session indoors, if possible. 1928 0 obj <> endobj Even a few minutes of practice can make a big difference. Were people prepared for previous incidents? There are all kinds of emergencies out there that we can prepare for. 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. 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. Managing Public Information for All Hazards Incidents NIMS describes the use of the Joint Information System (JIS) to complete the critical tasks of information sharing and coordination. Influence an audience to modify behavior C. Sell government or nonprofit products and programs D. Enhance social media, 11. 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. Three PIOs on the scene of a crisis huddling prior to making a statement to the media. for the incident. If a media pool is not an option, consider providing professional-quality images to the media in the form of video and stills. 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. Contact local, tribal, territorial, and State press associations to obtain media lists. You should set a realistic deadline and interim benchmarks, as needed. They heighten awareness of community hazards and encourage the public to take steps to become more prepared.