L0105 Public Information Basics

NDDES and Williams County Emergency Management will be hosting L0105 Public Information Basics November 16-18, 2021 at the Williams County EOC, 3429 4th Ave. West, Williston, ND.  Class begins at 8:00 am and ends at 5:00 pm each day. 

This course will equip participants with the skills needed to be full or part-time PIOs, 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 emergency environments
• Compare actions PIOs can take to work with the news media during day-to-day and emergency situation
• 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

Prerequisites

• IS0029.a: Public Information Officer Awareness

ND POST Board approved. 

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, 3701 4th Ave W, Williston, North Dakota, 701-577-3701.  This block will be available until October 30, 2021.  NDDES will reimburse appropriate participants for the cost of the hotel at the state rate and meal per diem according to state policy.  We do not cover mileage.  

Questions may be directed to Scott Helphrey or Larry Regorrah.