L-0105: Public Information & Warning

Course Flyer

Course Date(s) & Time(s): 24 total hours 

• Monday, May 19th – 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

• Tuesday, May 20th – 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, May 21st – 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Course Description: To equip participants with the skills needed to be full or part-time PIO’s, including oral and written communications; understanding and working with the media; and basic tools and techniques to perform effectively as a PIO, both in the proactive / advocacy times and crisis / emergency response.

Course Objectives: The PIO objectives and topics covered include:

• Using the strategic communications planning model, develop a public awareness campaign (95%)

• Using the strategic communications planning model, develop an incident communications strategy (5%)

• Indicate the purpose of a public awareness campaign

• Identify the steps in developing a public awareness campaign

• Develop a strategy for an awareness campaign or selected topic

• Change the method of developing a plan to follow the 8-step StratCom process

• Demonstrate the role and function of the PIO in both day-to-day and emergency environments

• Compare actions PIO’s can take to work with the news media during both day-to-day and emergency situations

• Describe different public information written products

• Apply effective news release writing guidance

• Adapt or repurpose written media products for social media

• Describe what types of impressions specific body language might convey during an interview

• Identify elements of an interview the PIO should consider ahead of time

• Identify steps a PIO needs to take to prepare for and conduct a news interview

• Demonstrate effective techniques for on-camera interviews

Recommended Participants: This course is intended for newly appointed emergency managers from Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency management agencies, and prospective professionals transferring from another discipline to emergency management. 

Course Prerequisites (Mandatory): Prior to enrolling in this course participant MUST complete the following ONLINE course;

• IS-29.A: Public Information Officer Awareness – can find this ONLINE course by visiting: FEMA IS-29 Course

Course Prerequisites (Recommended): None

Course Location: Northampton County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) – 100 Gracedale Avenue, Nazareth, PA 18064 – (Directions)

Course Registration: Register for class at train.org/pa

Additional Information / Notes: Course is provided by Northampton County Emergency Management at NO cost to attendees!

Inquiries?: Contact Michael A. Rampulla, Operations & Training Manager at mrampulla@ncem-pa.org or by calling 610746-3194 Ext. 3229 with any questions.