by Tim Birr, Division Chief (Ret.), Tualatin Valley (OR) Fire and Rescue
Many fire chiefs have been overwhelmed by the sudden appearance of satellite trucks, news helicopters, and media personnel when an incident in their jurisdiction attracts the media’s attention. If reporters cannot get fast, accurate information from fire officials, they’ll get it from whomever they can. This book is intended to help fire departments learn to work with the media, which should be an ongoing process throughout the year not just at emergencies.
Contents:
• Public relations 101
• Who are these reporters and what do they want, anyway?
• Communicating with the communicators
• Who can we get to do this stuff? Choosing a PIO
• Where does it say that? A primer on legal considerations
• The PIO at the incident scene
• Q&A: Basic skills for news interviews
• When the news hits the fan: Preparing for the inevitable
• Connecting with the community
• Model public information: Policy and procedure
• Model public information: Plan for major emergencies
• Oregon bar/press/broadcasters: joint statement of principles
• Bibliography
• Selected sources for additional training
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