Resources

Tips for Local Public Information Officers: Plan for Public Outreach During Emergencies

IBTS spoke with Lexington-Fayette County, Kentucky, Emergency Management Public Information Officer (PIO) John Bobel about his plans for communicating during natural disasters at the local level. Below, Bobel offers advice to other localities on how disaster communications planning can increase effectiveness of public communication and outreach during and after an incident. Practice, practice, practice.  Make… Read more

Tips for Ham Radio Operators: Natural Disaster Communications Best Practices

  Amateur radio operators and organizations can play a key role in natural disaster communications. Even if cell, landline and internet service are knocked out, radio messages can still get through. IBTS spoke with Janelle Haible, public information officer for the St. Louis Metro Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) about her experiences assisting her community… Read more

Experiences Gained: Managing Donations and Volunteers in Central, Louisiana

Although always a welcome site initially, donations in the aftermath of a natural disaster can quickly become an additional burden. Without a donation management and staffing plan, localities often find themselves amidst a “second disaster” as truckloads of materials pile up at unorganized donation sites. Too much of any good thing can become a bad… Read more

Tips for Local Public Information Officers: Have a Plan for Wildfire Communications

  Wildfires are long, drawn-out events that often require localities to ask for state assistance to get key messages out to the public, manage and monitor social media and keep up with the demands of local media. Use these tips from subject matter experts in Washington and California, who frequently deal with wildfires, to think through… Read more

Tips for Local Public Information Officers: Work with State Agencies to Improve Wildfire Communications

  During widespread wildfire events, communicating the status of the fire, impacted areas and damage becomes a full-time, round-the-clock job for public information officers (PIOs). Use these tips to integrate communications assistance from the state into your efforts and maximize the effectiveness of your internal communications and public outreach. Ask the state for social media… Read more

Tips for Local Public Information Officers: Public Outreach on Wildfires

  Unlike other perils, wildfires can last for weeks on end, requiring a constant stream of communications that often exhausts local resources. Effective public outreach requires sound planning and coordination with surrounding localities, state agencies and local media outlets. Use these tips from subject matter experts to prepare for and improve public outreach on wildfires before,… Read more

NEMA PIO Subcommittee Social Media Survey Report May 2016

Results of a National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) survey to determine the social media channels employed by emergency management agencies for public information use. Respondents were state emergency management agencies. States were also asked to break down what types of posts were the most effective, challenges they face and needs they have to be more successful.… Read more

Fire Management Today: Communicating About Wildland Fire

This issue of Fire Management Today centers around communication—the ability to do so, the benefits you reap if you are proactive and effective and the residual effects if you don’t. Articles cover topics ranging from working with communities during incidents, to working with the media, public acceptance of fuel treatments and more.   Fire Management… Read more

Tips for Managing Donations

In August 2016, over seven trillion gallons of rain fell over the course of 48-hours in the city of Central, Louisiana, swallowing the city and much of southern Louisiana. Donations started pouring into Central almost immediately after shelters opened, far exceeding the city’s expectations and donation management plan. Director of Economic Development for the city… Read more

Tips for Local Agencies: Communicating with Stakeholders and the Media

  Communication and coordination among and between local and state agencies before, during and after a natural disaster is critical, yet local agencies often find themselves lacking sufficient communications plans and struggling to communicate efficiently with other local agencies and state representatives during an incident. Use these tips to identify common areas of disconnect and… Read more