Crisis Communication Equation

When there’s an emergency or important event happening, the Public Information Officer (PIO) has a crucial role in crisis communication. Their main job is to make sure that the right information reaches the right people at the right time. But what does that really mean?

First, they need to gather the correct information. As the …

A PIOs Response to an Active Shooter

Monday of this week started out just like any other day.  Little did I know, a short 3 hours after beginning my day, the unthinkable would occur.  I often think, is today the day? Well, this past Monday was the day.  One of our local high schools, in our county, received a credible active …

Media planning for crisis communications.

8 Steps to Develop an Effective Crisis Communication Plan for Your Private Business

Every business, big or small, is susceptible to a crisis and you need a crisis communication plan. These can come in many forms, such as natural disasters, cyber-attacks, product recalls, financial downturns, or even a pandemic like we’ve experienced recently. While it’s impossible to predict every possible crisis that could happen, it’s crucial to …

Why is Your Agency Not on Social Media?

Literally Facebook is larger than most countries around the world.  People spend hours a day reading, watching and listening to social media posts.  Why would any public safety agency not want to use a medium of journalism, that you and your agency can control every single message you post.

That’s right, nobody else controls your …

The Role of a Public Information Officer: A Commitment to Professionalism

Introduction:
Assuming the position of Public Information Officer (PIO) within an agency brings with it great responsibility and a significant time commitment. While your work hours may align with regular administrative schedules, the demands of this role transcend the conventional Monday-to-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM timeframe. In today’s world, where technology permeates our lives …