. Preparing quality written products including news releases. Emergency management knowledge including an understanding of NIMS, ICS, the JIS, and the JIC. These sites make it easy to establish networks of contacts. Public awareness campaigns can run for weeks, months, or even sporadically throughout several years. What will you change in future campaigns? Social media have changed how quickly information about a disaster is available. Switchboard: (301) 447-1000 Communicating public information messages internally to the workforce is important because it allows the PIO to: A. 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. The successful PIO develops credibility and builds relationships with the media by consistently: More information on media relation skills and managing the media is presented in Lessons 3 and 5. The test questions are scrambled to protect the integrity of the exam. Public information is a vital function in disaster operations that . Coming back after the fire to retrieve them, their ghostly shadows left indelible evidence of the inferno that swept through their home. Tammy Kikuchi: The response was overwhelming. 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. This is a release that you post online. The Mayors Office developed an outreach campaign known as Red Stick Ready. First name. Do you know what to do to protect yourself and your family? Gather, verify, coordinate, and disseminate public information in an emergency from a Joint Information Center. if you do not have a sid, Test questions are scrambled to protect test integrity. One that is completely out of reach is de-motivating. Describe the role and function of the PIO. * The social media links provided are for reference only. Use the media area for all media releases and conferences. Increased information needs can be handled. Admissions Fax: (301) 447-1658, Independent Study Program Some tips for building relationships with your media contacts are: It is important to prepare a list of media outlets and contacts, for everyday activities and to act quickly in an emergency. This course should take approximately 7 hours and 25 minutes to complete. With an eye on public safety, the mayor began looking for a way to educate people about disaster preparation and response. For example: Active voice is clear, direct, and concise. The following table shows what you need to provide for a television story, the advantages of television, and its limitations. The Public Information Officer Awareness Course (IS0029) is designed to familiarize participants with the concepts underlying the PIO role. 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). (Passive). 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? 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. Narrator: Red Stick Ready targets every segment of the community. 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? Construct and deliver an appropriate crisis and emergency risk message. +O,))8+l"O{i9"5QKh^R7YH'gI@P+,,#+pbH,ZJt-9#)*~{"Dxu When considering whether a goal is attainable, ask yourself: Do I have the skills and resourcesor can I get themto achieve this goal? For example, you can post videos, use social networking sites, and/or create a blog. hb```f``z B@16 @>cC?v,gY&9w=K{mg,XRV3Z'le Describe the role and functions of the Public Information Officer (PIO) Describe the types of written products used in public information activities. It can be taken alone or before Basic Public Information Officer Training (G290). * The social media links provided are for reference only. In their zeal to get the story reporters may not always recognize the potential for danger to themselves. Generally, there is no review before modifications are accepted. When creating your media list: Media information is constantly changing; make sure you have a process to keep your media list up-to-date. Monitor to determine if the media coverage is: Whether or not your organization is using social media, you should still monitor it. C. Identify all the news media covering the area. Spelling- and grammar-checking tools (printed and computer software). Select it carefully and choose your background wisely. D. a required responsibility of the PIO as outlined by NIMS.. Web sites can link to social media sites, help you collect email addresses, display videos, house blogs, or link to other Web sites. 0 Select the right media to reach the target audience. 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. For different audiences, you may need to write different products. Year in and year out, nearly 1,400 Arizonans get heat related illnesses so serious that they end up in an emergency department. The widespread use of social media means you and your organization need to include social media in your communication strategy. 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. *F ;/7Bw1p i~$^y' _r] Having such knowledge enables them to make informed choices that affect their health and well-being. Leaves the decision as to who will be in the pool to the media. Are there warnings or other critical messages to be communicated to the public? 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. User: 4. The press saw it. 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. A tornado strikes in the Midwest. Supporting information can be described as: A. Break your ideas into one subject per sentence. Make sure the media area is far enough away and/or your workspaces are shielded from prying cameras, microphones, and eyes. They knew that they werent being led down another road, that they were hearing things unfiltered. A directory of your organizations Internet presence. Establishing relationships with news media representatives by being accessible and prepared. Public information entails the processes and systems that enable effective communications with various target audiences. Announce events of interest to your community or share information about an incident. The benefits of social media include the following capabilities: New social media tools are being developed and implemented all the time. 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. 16825 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727 List the skills needed to be an effective PIO. 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. It can be taken alone or before Basic Public Information Officer Training (G290). Next you need to identifyhowyou will communicate. Sit on your coat tail to keep your jacket from riding up. Here are the FEMA test answers to IS-29.A: Public Information Officer Awareness. Admissions Fax: (301) 447-1658, Independent Study Program 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. Even the best writer can make mistakes, particularly when under pressure or in a time crunch. Serves in an ICS role 2. Always connect with the Incident Commander before making any statement to the media. Another way to express your key message B. C. is a failed theory and should not be used by modern public information officers. When preparing written products, it is important that your message is understood. Responds to the media while respecting restrictions on the release of sensitive information. hbbd```b``+@$S4X$ vA$[0,v DI%09D`vH2& H/ `{I 30 0 `B The fire started near Harvest Junction on the railroad and the fumes from the burning hazardous materials in the cars threaten a number of nearby communities, according to local authorities. 281757518-Role-of-Catering-Establishment-in-Tourism-Industry-PRINT.docx. For highly visible or controversial matters, it might be best to have a leader in the organization speak. D. seek media release approval from the Communication Unit Leader., 24. 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. B. 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. In their haste, each suffered minor injuries, including stitches for their son who cut his ankle on the glass of the first floor window. To read this blog, go to:http://emergency.cdc.gov/. Blogs are a good tool to use to communicate with your audience. In an incident, theIncident Commandermanages the entire incident and: TheCommand Staffprovides information, safety, and liaison services: TheGeneral Staffperforms functional activities: As part of the ICS structure, the PIO is part of the Command Staff and advises the Incident Commander on all public information matters relating to the management of the incident. 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. Private wiki servers require user authentication to edit pages, and sometimes even to read them. An important part of your role as a PIO is to communicate with your community before something happens. B. report to the Finance/Admin Section Chief when arriving at an incident. The good news is that preventing heat related illness is easy to do if you just use common sense. 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. Lieutenant Doug McCleve: The feedback that Im getting, at least from my local news media, is that theyve been very pleased with the access theyve had. Resident/Non-Resident, Trainer Program, etc. Click on a program for additional information. Public information can help people make the right decision at the right time. The Public Information Officer is responsible for interfacing with the public and media and/or with other agencies with incident-related information requirements. Did the message reach the targeted audience? 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. In other words, express parallel ideas in parallel grammatical forms. 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. This course can provide a basic understanding of the PIO function for those new to the position. Campaigns are usually multifaceted, combining events and various media to get the message out. In the next lesson you will learn how to communicate effectively when an incident happens. Now that you have some tips for better writing, lets look at how to write a news release. Emergency Management Institute if4-0lP,H^F1!P`8FF@T br.afQP0G@U@} )F%H (wtP9 lF `PFn*Lks]k^s9LgsXxh|s ]bpa The AP Stylebook is used by most of the news media. These tools allow you to use key word searches and provide you with updates in your email or through an RSS feed or through the tools Web site. Develops a strategy or plan for handling the incident, monitors it in process, and adjusts the plan as needed. Smith activated the State Emergency Operations Center, which coordinates State firefighting efforts in these situations. C. only required when dictated by the Incident Commander. Email. The media area is a place where media congregate to help enhance the flow of information. But all four occupants miraculously escaped and the 45-year-old dad told the Ventura County Star: We thank God that were alive, regardless of what we lost up there.. Students also learn message development and . The Governor repeated his request that everyone use caution and heed warning messages on TV and radio, or in their newspapers. 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.. The first step in developing a public awareness campaign is to research issues to identify relevant topics for your campaign. 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. (Unit 2), Describe the types of written products used in public information activities. 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. ICS is used to manage an emergency incident (like a wildland fire, search and rescue, hurricane, etc.) Overview: The FEMA IS-29.A course was published on 8/5/2019 to familiarize participants with the concepts underlying the PIO role. You have many resources available to ensure that the information reported about an event and your organization is true and accurate. 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. Many different social media monitoring tools are available. Verdi White: And I believe that that has helped in our relationship with the media. Final Exam for: IS-29.a: Public Information Officer. People use technology to tell others that they are okay. What are people in your community concerned about? 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. PDF Public Information Officer - FEMA Each time this test is loaded, you will receive a unique set of questions and answers. A campaign on hurricane awareness wont get much play in December. (Unit 3), List the steps of the 8-Step Model for Strategic Communications. 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. 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. Describe how to develop and execute a public awareness campaign. They can be seasonallike hurricane preparedness week. Write out the full term on first usage, as appropriate. (A media pool refers to a group of news-gathering organizations pooling their resources in the collection of news.) Describe evolving media tools, including social media, for communication. 0. Additionally, it can provide those in executive level roles the necessary knowledge of PIO roles and responsibilities during an emergency. FEMA IS-29: Public Information Officer Awareness Answers It was absolutely the very best thing we could have done.