GOAL

The goal of this course is to help prepare the Public Information Officer (and those with that as an assigned, additional duty) for the dissemination of life-saving, emergency information during a crisis. This is the first year of a progressive, four level program.

OBJECTIVES

Participants will:

Learn team planning and team development among government, the media and volunteer agencies.

Learn how to improve the rapid dissemination of emergency information to the public by proper use of available resources.

Increase the awareness of Public Information Officers of the impact on the public and on the PIO of disasters.

Learn how to open channels of information of coordination between government, the media, and the public.

Become better interview subjects for the media, thus providing the public with a more professional, competent means of providing needed information.

 

 

METHOD
 

Minimum lecture, discussion, using visual aids

Intensive, hands on interview and public speaking workshops, using videotaped interviews

Small group break out sessions

Role-playing

Team building and group dynamics exercises

 

SUBJECT CONTENT

CLASS RECEPTION

Held the evening before registration, this session explains the many intricate parts of the course, and begins the ice-breaking and group dynamic building process. The Course Coordinator is available to answer questions.

WELCOME AND ORIENTATION

Participants will be introduced to the objectives of the course, receive a general overview of the program, administrative announcements, and develop motivation and attitude for the involvement of the next four and one-half days.

MEETING THE MEDIA'S NEEDS

A detailed examination of the planning, logistical and technical requirement of modern broadcast media during a disaster. TV and radio newsroom organization and structure are discussed. Also examined are needs of field reporters, assignment editors and photographers during a crisis.

PUBLIC SPEAKING

This session combines lecture, discussion and small group breakouts (with speeches) to provide the participants with basic public speaking skills. Techniques for making presentations before various groups are presented. Areas covered include: managing stress, speaking techniques, and speech organization.

THE INFORMATION PROCESS

A careful, detailed examination of the process of gathering information at a Command Post or Emergency Operations Center. Equipment and supplies required, a PIO Kit, and information officer function are discussed. Also discussed are techniques for accurate, fast information gathering and analysis. A system for deciding priorities of information is presented, along with considerations for planning and implementing an Information Center, complete with Rumor Control, EAS (Emergency Alerting System), Briefing and other sections.

LESSONS FROM A PIO SURVIVOR

Disaster PIO survivors will examine objectively several areas, including: proper planning, PIO response to the scene and at headquarters, command post and EOC operations from a PIO perspective, media response, information gathering, priorities of information, and post-incident considerations.

TEAM MEETINGS / PRESENTATIONS

These are team building sessions designed to help the participants get to know each other and build teams that will be accomplishing tasks later in the week (and to have fun!).

COMMUNICATOR IN CRISIS

Using a crisis-public relations approach, this session deals with an aggressive approach to crises. Day to day practices applied to disasters, using all forms of media to reach the public before and during a crisis, and techniques and principles of crisis communications from a corporate and institutional perspective are addressed.

CRISIS 101

A pragmatic step by step look at the basics of surviving a crisis. Topics ranging from pre-disaster measures to post disaster after action reports are covered. Tips to help keep the PIO sane and healthy are discussed.

PUBLIC SPEAKING LAB

This is the practical follow up to the Public Speaking lecture portion of the course. The class is divided into two sections. Then, in separate rooms, each participant delivers his/her three to five minute speech before the rest of the class. Other class members provide written, constructive critiques of the speeches.

LEGAL ASPECTS

A lecture and discussion covering critical areas of concern to PIOs including: 409.5 of the California Penal Code (media access to disaster scenes), liability issues for public officials, 91.91 FAA Flight Rules (air closure over an incident), and other federal and state laws regarding the media and public information.

NEWS CONFERENCE PREPARATION

Principles and techniques for planning, preparing and conducting successful news conferences and briefings are presented. Multi-agency planning is stressed along with considerations such as: location and time of conference, audio and video considerations, visual aids, sound systems, strategy, sign-in sheets, lighting, and panel set-up. An orientation for the Friday morning mock news conference is also conducted.

INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES-LECTURE

In preparation for the Interview Labs, this session is designed to present the tips and techniques to be used by participants during interviews with reporters. Overall attitude, strategy and bearing, along with tips for concise, carefully worded answers are discussed.

INTERVIEW LABS

This critical session uses a Team Teaching and Lab approach. The class is divided randomly into groups of no more than seven. Each group is assigned a trainer who conducts videotaped simulated media interviews. While one participant is being interviewed, the rest of the group may act as reporters. Several different types of interviews can be conducted. The tapes are then reviewed and each person is constructively critiqued.

MOCK NEWS CONFERENCE

The Mock News Conference includes at least two hours of pre-conference planning by the participants. On the day of the conference, participants set up the classroom and conduct the mock conference (complete with cameras and role-playing reporters) just as they would if it were not an exercise. The conference is based on a multi-agency response scenario and involves representatives from several agencies. A critique session is included.

COURSE REVIEW AND GRADUATION

Participants are asked for verbal and written comments and suggestions regarding the program. Suggestions for improvement and compliments are discussed. Objectives are reviewed and future directions discussed. Certificates are presented.

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