the role of the public information officer fema
Switchboard: (301) 447-1000 19. 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. (Unit 4), Given a scenario, apply the 8-Step Model to a public awareness campaign. Describe how to develop and execute a public awareness campaign. The subject is the. 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. 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. Below are some tips for writing in a clear, concise, and organized manner: Although active voice is preferred and is more interesting, passive voice may be appropriate when the doer is unknown or you want to focus on the receiver of the action. 16825 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727 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. 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. 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. 3 Step Guide for Assistance. Grab the attention of your readers so that they will continue reading. This awareness-level training is suitable for new PIOs. This lesson presents information on how to effectively communicate with the whole community regarding the importance of being prepared for an incident. A tornado strikes in the Midwest. As a PIO, your target audiences include . Select it carefully and choose your background wisely. %%EOF 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. News releases should provide accurate, factual information that is attributed to its source. Final Exam for: IS-29.a: Public Information Officer. (Unit 3), List the steps of the 8-Step Model for Strategic Communications. You can find the complete list of courses in the Spanish language course list. For some incidents, implementing a media area may be an important way to manage the situation. 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. A social networking site is a great tool for: Now you know about the many tools available to get your message out. The media area is a place where media congregate to help enhance the flow of information. Avoid visuals C. Chunk content to make it more scannable D. Maximize search results by using acronyms, 6. 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. 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. Mayor Holden: We have what they call Mayor Mouse, and Mayor Mouse basically is operated to go to various schools. Recall preparation techniques that contribute to a successful media interview. Emergency Management Institute Radio is a form of broadcast technology that has the following needs, advantages, and limitations. Always connect with the Incident Commander before making any statement to the media. 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 . Describe traditional media available for communication. (Unit 5). Here are the FEMA test answers to IS-29.A: Public Information Officer Awareness. Develop and pre-test materials C. Develop an action planD. If you intend to become a Public Information Officer use these FEMA IS 29.A answers to turn a 7 hour course into one that takes 5 minutes. The JIS is a system that ensures coordination and integration of information across jurisdictions, organizations, and agencies during an incident. For highly technical information, it might be best to prepare a credible subject-matter expert to present. A good overview of ICS is provided in the independent study . Responds to the media while respecting restrictions on the release of sensitive information. What is the Role of a Public Information Officer (PIO)? A PIOs proactive approach to public information enhances credibility in messaging. Tools to enhance the flow of public information are housed. In order to keep a consistent two-way flow of information with the media representatives at the scene, it is important to make it relatively easy to communicate with them face to face. Blogs to cover events as they are happening. NIMS describes the use of the Joint Information System (JIS) to complete the critical tasks of information sharing and coordination. Additionally, students conduct various public information activities and exercises, to include writing messages and conducting press conferences. Email is also an ideal tool for communicating within your organization because you generally have access to your colleagues email addresses. People use technology to tell others that they are okay. The highest-ranking State official C. His/her regular boss D. The Operations Section Chief, 13. Additionally, it can provide those in executive level roles the necessary knowledge of PIO roles and responsibilities during an emergency. Guidance on COVID protections for EMI students, and the CDC Coronavirus page for the latest updates on the pandemic response. Switchboard: (301) 447-1000 Tammy Kikuchi: The response was overwhelming. When an emergency happens, ICS is implemented. Blogs are Web sites that allow you to engage in a conversation with readers. After taking this course you may want to take other courses to help you continue your professional development. The role of the PIO is the same regardless of the type or size of the event. Understand the National Incident Management System, Incident Command System and their correlation with the emergency response system. The media will want to get as close as possible to get pictures/audio/interviews. 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. 1. View IS-29.a - Public Information Officer Awareness | FEMA Emergency Management Institute (EMI).pdf from CIS 20 at SUNY Empire State College. Sometimes logging in for a session is recommended, to create a wiki-signature cookie for signing edits automatically. Describe the target audiences for the PIO. Overview: The FEMA IS-29.A course was published on 8/5/2019 to familiarize participants with the concepts underlying the PIO role. or a non-emergency event. T;)D2Dt `NY"`~XH@P ` hb```"g@($CC4i9"Mp1:u3;;:*&d@|Hh 9C$,;30K2=e$b00 D! PIOs shouldA. compile a go kit to allow for lengthy deployments to a long-term incident. Public awareness campaigns can run for weeks, months, or even sporadically throughout several years. Score .9906. Participants will benefit from participating in entry-level incident command system training prior to taking this course. Different types of written products include the following: View actual news releases, statements, and fact sheets on the InciWeb site [http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/]. It provides a framework for people from multiple agencies to work well together B. How to Remember Better: A Study Tip for Your Next Major Exam, (13 Tips From Repeaters) How to Pass the LET the First Time, [5 Proven Tactics & Bonus] How to pass the Neuro-Psychiatric Exam, 5 Research-Based Techniques to Pass Your Next Major Exam, 2023 Civil Service Exam (CSE) Reviewer: A Resource Page, [Free PDF] 2023 LET Reviewer: The Ultimate Resource Page, [52 Test Answers] FEMA IS-251A: IPAWS for Alerting Administrators, [26 Test Answers] FEMA IS-284A: Using the Substantial Damage Estimator 3.0 Tool, [32 Test Answers] FEMA IS-1120: Letters of Map Revision (LOMRs), [23 Test Answers] FEMA IS-101C: Preparing for Federal Disaster Operations: FEMA. Access to the scene for information and images. wA{)K+Xk80538L``V[mvWS|?9U7 The following was originally posted on CDC Public Health Matters Blog on May 16, 2011, by Ali S. Khan. Develops a strategy or plan for handling the incident, monitors it in process, and adjusts the plan as needed. 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. 494 0 obj <> endobj 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. C. Monitors costs related to the incident, and provides . I would urge you to be careful whenever you travel, Smith said. 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: 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. 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. Announce events of interest to your community or share information about an incident. Mayor Holden: Sometimes you have to get your story out very quickly. In movies, shows, and literature, zombies are often depicted as being created by an infectious virus, which is passed on via bites and contact with bodily fluids. Construct and deliver an appropriate crisis and emergency risk message. Walter Monsour: So, the message was managed extremely well. This is a release that you post online. They tell the public about services and programs that can affect their lives, like information about staying healthy, fire safety, and changes in community college tuition. One PIO talking by phone to an on-scene PIO to confirm the number of responders at the scene prior to an initial news release. Describe the role and functions of the Public Information Officer (PIO) Describe the types of written products used in public information activities. You can learn how to protect yourself from heat with some resources on our website including our Heat Brochure, Heat Related Illness Tips for Schools and our newly revised Heat Emergency Response Plan. 16825 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727 D. seek media release approval from the Communication Unit Leader., 24. In a span of, I think, 2 months, we took in roughly about almost three thousand kids at various sites to talk to them about different safety things. It was absolutely the very best thing we could have done. 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. The median, annual pay for public relations specialists, during the same period, was $52,090, with the top 10 . 18. All social networking sites allow users to find people they know among the members, or look for other members with similar interests or affiliations. endstream endobj 495 0 obj <. (Incorrect), John enjoys boating, swimming, and fishing. Serves in an ICS role 2. 20. Some examples include traditional media using: An important step when communicating is to continually evaluate and adjust your message by monitoring the media. Time will also impact the shelf-life of your campaign. Continue to monitor the weather., Example 3:4 Shelters remain open: MassMutual Ctr, 1277 Main St. Springfield; Quarry Hill Comm. ), 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.) Television is the main source of news for Americans. Transparency in government promotes efficiency and effectiveness and allows the people in your community to understand and participate in your processes. Joanne H. Moreau: Working with the children, and with such an emphasis on the children, we wanted a tool that could reach them. B. 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? Allows access to one media representative from television, radio, print, and Internet to a restricted area. Some evaluation data can be collected without contact with the audiencefor example, number of Web page hits or increase in the quantity of smoke alarms purchased. This feature can facilitate abuse of the system. The most popular social networking sites have groups, which offer chat boards for members. Campaigns that combine a mix of media are more likely to be effective in influencing people. Better yet is the number of people who call and request preparedness kits! nEAH {27(L( o 5UR\sR%or=uG5($#MJ (2*8T-\< That you will get them information and be back to brief themand then do so. Derrick Jensen: The feedback we received from them, from the local media that we work with on a regular basis and have a pretty good relationship from them . Do they have special communication needs (e.g., visual or hearing impairments, or limited English proficiency)? Narrator: Red Stick Ready targets every segment of the community. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, Web pages, and other media related to its topic. Keep the subject and verb close together. Describe evolving media tools, including social media, for communication. 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. hbbd```b``"_H|LI&x9"$ ;Dr?*&Fvql2r S3 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. An important part of the PIOs role is to prepare written products, so the PIO must be able to write clearly and effectively. Establishing relationships with news media representatives by being accessible and prepared. Who is likely to be affected by the hazard or threat? 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. Break your ideas into one subject per sentence. Themes weaved throughout the series include the 95/5 concept and an emphasis on whole community strategic communication planning. This process includes: Your goal statement expresses what you hope to achieve through your campaign. The benefits of social media include the following capabilities: New social media tools are being developed and implemented all the time. Conduct research to determine which tool is best to meet your agencys needs. There are also professional social networking sites with sections for jobs. Create clear and easily understood messages. Distribute family emergency preparedness kits through community elementary schools is both clearer and more meaningful. Emergency Management Institute 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. %%EOF The latest information on activities, events, and resources. 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. PDF NIMS Basic Guidance for Public Information Officers - FEMA if4-0lP,H^F1!P`8FF@T br.afQP0G@U@} )F%H (wtP9 lF `PFn*Lks]k^s9LgsXxh|s ]bpa As exemplified in the Pew Research study, people are getting information from sources other than traditional media. 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. Even a few minutes of practice can make a big difference. In a crisis, getting the right information to the right people at the right time is more important than catching a dangling participle! Consider information about the whole community when identifying topics, including: There is no point in conducting a hurricane preparedness campaign if your area is not subject to hurricanes. +O,))8+l"O{i9"5QKh^R7YH'gI@P+,,#+pbH,ZJt-9#)*~{"Dxu ICS is used to manage an emergency incident (like a wildland fire, search and rescue, hurricane, etc.) To help you in monitoring conversations on social media sites, you may want to use a social media monitoring tool or social media dashboard. 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. First name. The 8-Step Communication Model includes:A. Assess the current situation B. Were people prepared for previous incidents? Watching the background. Determine information to be communicated to the public. Describe how to have a successful relationship with the news media. Next you need to identifyhowyou will communicate. 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. 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. Treat all media fairlydo not play favorites with reporters. The press saw it. Possess and enhance certain qualities and skills that make an effective PIO. Unfortunately, these hazardous materials are creating a dangerous situation for all of us. It is important to prepare each person to ensure your message is consistent. Campaign topics can range from recruiting volunteers to fire safety. They can be timelesslike encouraging children to be active. Use the media area for all media releases and conferences. Joanne H. Moreau: We are able to work with all agencies and give a real solid unified message. On average, between 30 and 80 Arizona residents die from heat related illnesses every summer. This awareness-level training is suitable for new PIOs. 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). 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. Select the right media to reach the target audience. B. describes a writing technique applied to social media content. Provide information and updates in a timely manner. The participant will benefit from participating in entry-level incident command system training prior to taking this course. Look at the audience, but dont lock eyes with any one person and dont look into the camera. Generally, there is no review before modifications are accepted. PDF Public Information Officer - FEMA The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Public Information Officer (PIO) training program is designed to provide PIOs with the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities to support proper decision-making by delivering the right message, to the right people, at the right time. One of the advantages of the Incident Command System (ICS) is: A. 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. 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. Lets start by reviewing the Incident Command System (ICS) and the PIOs role in ICS. 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. Serves as a press secretary for the Agency Executive or Senior Official during the incident. 281757518-Role-of-Catering-Establishment-in-Tourism-Industry-PRINT.docx. 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. This lesson covered the knowledge and skills you need to effectively manage emergency public information during an incident: The next lesson summarizes your role as a PIO and how to use all the tools available to you to help your community be prepared and to share critical information when an incident happens. 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. News releases should adhere to the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook. A directory of your organizations Internet presence. Promote government programs and activities B. Avoid fillers (um, er, uh); dont be afraid to pause while formulating an answer. Measurement is how you evaluate success, but make sure your numbers reflect significant achievement. Conducting public awareness campaigns; Gathering key information/details of the event; Prioritizing and issuing notices, alerts, and warnings; Taking action to maintain control of rumors; Coordinating inquiries from the public, the media, and elected officials; Coordinating tours or other interviews with agency reps and the media In all cases, the campaign will include a compelling message and a clear link to the organizations overall goals and priorities. 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. Increase community preparedness is not specific. A news release should be used when an activity or incident is newsworthy based on: News releases should be printed on your organizations letterhead and include a header with contact information (name and number), date, and a news release number. Additionally, it can provide those in executive-level roles with the necessary knowledge of PIO roles and responsibilities during an emergency. A goal that makes you stretch is good. 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. Work within the emergency management system. 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. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is:A. Make sure the media area is far enough away and/or your workspaces are shielded from prying cameras, microphones, and eyes. 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. B. Verdi White: And I believe that that has helped in our relationship with the media. Other zombie origins shown in films include radiation from a destroyed NASA Venus probe (as inNight of the Living Dead), as well as mutations of existing conditions such as prions, mad-cow disease, measles and rabies. Develop and implement your campaign by setting a goal, creating a message, choosing your medium, and identifying timing. Email. Video sharing sites to expand or market a story, and. This lesson reviews the four steps in creating a public awareness campaign. Describe the role and function of the Public Information Officer (PIO). Check with them to see if the location selected for a media area will allow them to accomplish this connection. Wear your uniform or neat, conservative attire if not in uniform. Public Information Officer Jobs and Salary As demonstrated by the examples, micro-blogging has become an important source of information in preparation of, during, and after crisis situations.