the role of the public information officer fema
ICS is used to manage an emergency incident (like a wildland fire, search and rescue, hurricane, etc.) When preparing written products, it is important that your message is understood. Better yet is the number of people who call and request preparedness kits! Once again, we see a fire threatening our citizens and their homes. The test questions are scrambled to protect the integrity of the exam. Determines what the public needs to know. C. request additional assistance through the National Public Information Support Network. The latest information on activities, events, and resources. A good overview of ICS is provided in the independent study . 16825 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727 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. Public Information and Warning . Additionally, students conduct various public information activities and exercises, to include writing messages and conducting press conferences. (What will motivate them?). Many organizations follow stylebooks that establish how they will communicate with the public in terms of titles, capitalization, punctuation, and so on. Watching the background. endstream endobj 1929 0 obj <. The subject is the. 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.. Next you need to identifyhowyou will communicate. Consider your resources and your role in ICS. 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. 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. 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. 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. The role of a PIO can be executed by one person or as a team, depending on the emergency and what resources are available. They will go other places to get other information (local citizen reactions, sidebar stories, etc.). For some incidents, implementing a media area may be an important way to manage the situation. 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 This lesson presents information on how to effectively communicate with the whole community regarding the importance of being prepared for an incident. if4-0lP,H^F1!P`8FF@T br.afQP0G@U@} )F%H (wtP9 lF `PFn*Lks]k^s9LgsXxh|s ]bpa They knew that they werent being led down another road, that they were hearing things unfiltered. What are people in your community concerned about? . Disclosing information to the public in ways that are easy to find and use. 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.). 50% C. 25% D. 5%, 9. FEMA does not endorse any non-government Web sites, companies or applications. FEMA IS-29: Public Information Officer Awareness Answers. Avoid visuals C. Chunk content to make it more scannable D. Maximize search results by using acronyms, 6. The Incident Command System is a fundamental element of emergency management. 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. Email is also an ideal tool for communicating within your organization because you generally have access to your colleagues email addresses. endstream endobj 495 0 obj <. Responsibilities of the Components of the ICS Organization. Different types of written products include the following: View actual news releases, statements, and fact sheets on the InciWeb site [http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/]. Public awareness campaigns can run for weeks, months, or even sporadically throughout several years. %%EOF Many Web sites include a blog as part of the site. Its not complicated; its very easy for them, which makes for better reporting. Even a few minutes of practice can make a big difference. 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. The 95/5 concept relates to non-emergency and emergency PIO activities 95% of most PIOs' work is in non-emergency times, with only 5% directly related to incident response or recovery. Communicate information to enable people to prepare for an incident and to make decisions during an incident to protect lives and property. 0. Narrator: Red Stick Ready demonstrates how you can develop a strategy that prepares your community for a disaster and effectively provides critical information when an incident happens. It also helps identify the target audience for a particular public awareness campaign. 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. . Public information can help people make the right decision at the right time. Describe evolving media tools, including social media, for communication. The following are excerpts from some successful blogs by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Ventura City Manager in Ventura, CA, and the Arizona Department of Health Services. ., Example 2:There is more severe weather on the way as a large storm cell is moving across Livingston Parish into EBR. Many wikis are open to alteration by the general public without requiring them to register user accounts. FEMA IS-29: Public Information Officer Awareness Answers 95% B. 1. Coordinate information being distributed to ensure consistency with other agencies messages. As demonstrated by the examples, micro-blogging has become an important source of information in preparation of, during, and after crisis situations. 1943 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<9229C3A5CD7F8A409FF242859AD01E9B>]/Index[1928 28]/Info 1927 0 R/Length 89/Prev 779652/Root 1929 0 R/Size 1956/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Guidance on COVID protections for EMI students, and the CDC Coronavirus page for the latest updates on the pandemic response. This is a release that you post online. The Incident Commander B. 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. Effective public communication involves collecting, verifying, and disseminating information to your target audiences. A public awareness campaign is a vehicle you can use to get your message out about being prepared. (Passive). This lesson introduced you to the steps to create a preparedness campaign: These steps will help you develop a campaign that will inform the whole community about the importance of being ready and preparedness steps to take. Many edits, however, can be made in real-time and appear almost instantly online. The Sonoran Desert will be among the hottest places on the globe for the next 4 months. Having such knowledge enables them to make informed choices that affect their health and well-being. Many times the site of a crisis or disaster may be considered a crime scene and needs to be processed by forensic units. 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. Making sure community members understand the events that unfold during severe weather, pandemics, and non-emergency scenarios . Successful blogs are compelling and current, and encourage interaction with readers. Web sites can link to social media sites, help you collect email addresses, display videos, house blogs, or link to other Web sites. Example: Press Release Using Inverted Pyramid Format. Responds to the media while respecting restrictions on the release of sensitive information. Questions to answer when evaluating a public awareness campaign include the following: You can collect data about your campaign in different ways. It can be taken alone or before Basic Public Information Officer Training (G290). How or what can your community learn from these events? Select it carefully and choose your background wisely. Remember to treat amateur journalists the same as you would any other journalistwith courtesy and respect. Emergency Management Institute 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. (Unit 3), List the steps of the 8-Step Model for Strategic Communications. This lesson presents information on tools you can use in support of your role as a Public Information Officer (PIO). Overview: The FEMA IS-29.A course was published on 8/5/2019 to familiarize participants with the concepts underlying the PIO role. Admissions Fax: (301) 447-1658, Independent Study Program The Zombie Survival Guide identifies the cause of zombies as a virus called solanum. Your organization may have other format preferences, such as single-spaced and one-page only. C. Identify all the news media covering the area. B. an important part of the PIOs job. Emergency Management Institute Proactivity occurs during A. Timely updates and corrections to information in evolving incidents. hb```"g@($CC4i9"Mp1:u3;;:*&d@|Hh 9C$,;30K2=e$b00 D! The JIS is a system that ensures coordination and integration of information across jurisdictions, organizations, and agencies during an incident. For example, change the location or angle of the lectern so cameras dont capture an unwanted view. These people are your target audience. Private wiki servers require user authentication to edit pages, and sometimes even to read them. Determine information to be communicated to the public. Develops a strategy or plan for handling the incident, monitors it in process, and adjusts the plan as needed. 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. He and his wife threw open their window and helped their kids drop to waiting neighbors gathered below. 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. (Unit 2), Describe the types of written products used in public information activities. What is happening in other areas? Other data requires that you reach out to the target audiencefor example, to conduct focus group sessions or implement random telephone, email, or print surveys. When creating your media list: Media information is constantly changing; make sure you have a process to keep your media list up-to-date. Resident/Non-Resident, Trainer Program, etc. What do they already know about the topic? When a newsworthy incident occurs, the media will be there, whether youve invited them or not! 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. View IS-29.a - Public Information Officer Awareness | FEMA Emergency Management Institute (EMI).pdf from CIS 20 at SUNY Empire State College. 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. Supporting information can be described as: A. 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 . The PIOs primary responsibility to organizational leadership as an advisor is to: A. D. seek media release approval from the Communication Unit Leader., 24. Policies for evolving media (e.g., who can post, what can be posted, how to respond to negative comments, etc.). Identify how messages should be conveyed. Message mapping B. Dissemination C. Tracking and documentation D. Media analysis. 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. +O,))8+l"O{i9"5QKh^R7YH'gI@P+,,#+pbH,ZJt-9#)*~{"Dxu The Governor declared the emergency following a similar declaration by Liberty County. What events nationally and globally are in the news? The participant will benefit from participating in entry-level incident command system training prior to taking this course. The following table shows what you need to provide for a television story, the advantages of television, and its limitations. 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. 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. What is in it for them? The Governor is continuing to monitor the situation. Serves as a press secretary for the Agency Executive or Senior Official during the incident. 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). Avoid getting involved in these media disputes. Each time this test is loaded, you will receive a unique set of questions and answers. Tammy Kikuchi: The Joint Information Center and the Command Staff out there would hold daily briefings for the media, and quite honestly that took much of the heat, if you will, off the Governors office. D. The ninety-five (95%) segment of the 95/5 concept, 5. This course can provide a basic understanding of the PIO function for those new to the position. The Public Information Officer gathers, verifies, coordinates, and disseminates accurate, accessible, and timely information on the incidents cause, size, and current situation; resources committed; and other matters of general interest for both internal and external audiences. Measurement is how you evaluate success, but make sure your numbers reflect significant achievement. Three PIOs on the scene of a crisis huddling prior to making a statement to the media. They focus on specific issues or programs to move the public to take action. Guidance on COVID protections for EMI students, and the CDC Coronavirus page for the latest updates on the pandemic response. 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. endstream endobj startxref The best approach is to meet with school officials early to determine when your program best fits their schedule. After taking this course you may want to take other courses to help you continue your professional development. 1. Social networking sites are online communities that connect people. Email. When considering whether a goal is attainable, ask yourself: Do I have the skills and resourcesor can I get themto achieve this goal? 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. Additionally, it can provide those in executive-level roles with the necessary knowledge of PIO roles and responsibilities during an emergency. In a crisis, getting the right information to the right people at the right time is more important than catching a dangling participle! I would urge you to be careful whenever you travel, Smith said. B. describes a writing technique applied to social media content. D. has become ever more complex as the challenge of delivering messages has evolved. 3 Step Guide for Assistance, 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, IS-29 Public Information Officer Awareness, E/L0388 Advanced Public Information Officer, Master Public Information Officer Program, Special collection: Emergency Management Institute student papers, E/K0389 - Master Public Information Officer Implementing Communications Strategies for Whole Community Leadership, E/K0393 Master Public Information Officer Applying Advanced Concepts in Public Information and Communications, E0394 Master Public Information Officer Mastering Public Advocacy Plans to Create an Effective Community of Stakeholders. D. should be knowledgeable, assertive, credible, flexible, able to perform under pressure, and accessible., 10. This course can provide a basic understanding of the PIO function for those new to the position. Make sure the media area is far enough away and/or your workspaces are shielded from prying cameras, microphones, and eyes. 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. When will you implement your campaign? A media pool: Note: Media pools can cause disagreements among the media. Unfortunately, these hazardous materials are creating a dangerous situation for all of us. It provides a framework for people from multiple agencies to work well together B. The public information officer (PIO) reports to the incident commander, who in turn reports to the agency or jurisdictions responsible. 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.)? Are there warnings or other critical messages to be communicated to the public? Simplify complex ideas by using short sentences. It can be taken alone or before Basic Public Information Officer Training (G290). Goals should be stated in clear, concise terms that have meaning for those working on the campaign and other key stakeholders. The Public Information Officer may also perform a key public information-monitoring role. Lets start by reviewing the Incident Command System (ICS) and the PIOs role in ICS. For highly visible or controversial matters, it might be best to have a leader in the organization speak. (Unit 3), Recall preparation techniques that contribute to a successful media interview. FEMA does not endorse any non-government Web sites, companies or applications. 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.. Quantify results when evaluating public information efforts. 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. FEMA IS-29: Public Information Officer Awareness Course Summary 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 Selects the right tools for the messages. Emergency management knowledge including an understanding of NIMS, ICS, the JIS, and the JIC. 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. Promote government programs and activities B. Although its meaning has changed slightly over the years, it refers to a human corpse mysteriously reanimated to serve the undead. Possess and enhance certain qualities and skills that make an effective PIO. 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. Describe traditional media available for communication. On average, between 30 and 80 Arizona residents die from heat related illnesses every summer. PDF Public Information Officer - FEMA 1955 0 obj <>stream Here are the FEMA test answers to IS-29.A: Public Information Officer Awareness. If you do not want something recorded by the media, cover it up or shield it with a vehicle. Using acronyms in news releases may:A. Social Media: Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse. 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. Expert Help. Select the right media to reach the target audience. This fundamental principle is the basis for public information in emergency management in this country. 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. 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. Always connect with the Incident Commander before making any statement to the media. Contact commercial vendors to identify contacts and the process for news releases. Make it less likely that your release will be cut C. Impress people in the target audience D. Be a barrier to communication, 22.