CSTI has been leading the nation in training Public Information Officers with its PIO in Disasters and Hazardous Materials Incidents resident and on-site seminars and programs since 1984. The course title is now known as Crisis Communications and the Media.

As the scope and content of the program have indicated since its beginning, the training is directed toward those who have the responsibility of disseminating critical information to the public through the media, both on a day to day basis and during crises. Since the previous title of The PIO in Disasters caused some confusion, the name was changed in the 1989/90 Academic Year to Crisis Communications and the Media. The content of the programs remains the same... only the name has been changed to better represent the scope of the course.

Since April of 1984 over 1200 people have attended the PIO programs. As a result of comments and suggestions from many of those attendees, the first Advanced PIO course was held in January of 1988. The Advanced Course was built entirely on precepts taught in the introductory course and included new topics not explored in previous programs.

Since the development of both the Introductory and the Advanced courses, CSTI faculty have been exposed to several new concepts in adult learning, including CEPO (Continuing Education for Public Officials). CEPO, along with many other professional development series, including FEMA programs, is a three year program, culminating with a special ceremony and the presentation of a document to those who have completed the entire program.