Public Information Basics (L-105)

SEE FLYER

COURSE IS A 24-HOUR TRAINING COURSE. Schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, September 15, 2026 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

• Wednesday, September 16, 2026 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

• Thursday, September 17, 2026 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is meant to equip participants with the skills needed to be a full or part-time Public Information Officer (PIO), 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:

• 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 on a 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 PIOs can take to work with the news media during day-to-day and emergency environments

• 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

MANDATORY PREREQUISITES: Participants MUST have successfully completed the following courses prior to enrolling in E/L 105 course: 

• IS-29: Public Information Officer Awareness

  • Course can be completed online at: FEMA IS Studies

  • To register for a FEMA Student Identification Number (SID) visit: FEMA SID

RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITES: Experience using concepts and principles from ICS-100, ICS-200 and use of skills in a response or exercise.

CLASS LOCATION(S): Course will be held at the Northampton County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) located at 100 Gracedale Avenue, Nazareth, PA 18064. (NC EOC DIRECTIONS)

COURSE REGISTRATION: Please visit THIS LINK to enroll. Link also available on flyer. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This course is being provided by Northampton County Emergency Management at no cost!

QUESTIONS / CONTACT: If you have questions or concerns please contact Michael A. Rampulla, EM Operations & Training Manager via email: mrampulla@ncem-pa.org or phone call at 610-746-3194 Ext. 3229.