Training Announcement: Basic PIO Course (G290)

January 6, 2010

Basic Public Information Officer (G290)

February 23 & 24, 2010

Please Note:

This class is now full. Watch for announcements of future offerings.

The Maine Emergency Management Agency will be conducting a training seminar on the new updated Federal Emergency Management Agency training program for Public Information Officers (PIO). Prior completion of the PIO Awareness Course (G289) is a prerequisite for attendance to this program.

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Demonstrate how to communicate emergency public information effectively in writing to the public through the news media.
Describe actions the PIO can take to prepare for and conduct an effective interview with the news media.
Demonstrate the ability to answer questions effectively during an on-camera interview.
Describe how to effectively perform the responsibilities of the PIO at the scene of an incident.
Describe the JIS/JIC concepts as they apply to the public information function in an expanding incident.
Participate in a panel discussion with members of the news media.

Selection Criteria:

State, County, and local emergency management and emergency services staff who have either full or part time direct responsibility for public information in their communities or departments. Applicants will include an organizational chart indicating their position in local or departmental public information functions. Students should bring copies of their PIO plan and laptop computers if available.

Instructors:

Lynette Miller, MEMA PIO, and Mike Grant, MEMA Training Officer will serve as instructors.

Course Location:

The course will be held in the MEMA classroom at CMCC. Central Maine Commerce Center is located on Commerce Drive off Route 27 in North Augusta. Classes will run from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Lunch and breaks will be provided all other expenses are the responsibility of the student.

For further information or to register, please contact Mike Grant at MEMA. All applications should be submitted via FEMA 75-5 training application form

Contact:

Mike Grant
207-624-4400

MAINE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY