What’s your Roles as a PIO?

I just got off a conference call with a few of my fellow PIO’s who represent a number of volunteer fire departments. We were discussing SOP’s when PIO’s from different departments are working the same scene via mutual aid needs.

The discussion diverted to the responsibilities that PIO’s have in their own departments. The responsibilities that we had in common were –

1. Gathering and verifying information.
2. Issuing press releases and media alerts.
3. Developing and maintaining media contact lists.
4. Serving as a spokesperson for the department.
5. Assuming a role in the chain of command at an incident scene.

Past those five areas, the additional responsibilities many of us held were –

1. Website management.
2. Photography and Videographer
3. Fundraising
4. Event Planning (installations, holiday parties etc.)
5. Fire Prevention lectures, speaking engagements and tours.
6. Attending meetings of community, civic, governmental and service organizations.
7. Posting and creating flyers for in-house activities and events.

I am sure many of you have even more hats to wear. I told my colleagues that I would post on this topic and seek out additional responsibilities that PIO’s hold.

Please let me know what you handle as a PIO or PAO.

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