L0105: Public Information Basics Course

Course location

In person location: The University of Oregon EOC

1715 Franklin Blvd., Eugene, OR 97477

3-day Course March 3-5, 2026

Course Description:

This course equips 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

• Develop a public awareness campaign using the strategic communications planning model
• Develop an incident communications strategy using the strategic communications planning model
• 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 media during day-to-day and emergency situations
• 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

• IS-29: Public Information Officer Awareness

Attendance:

Per FEMA standards, no more than 10% absenteeism is allowed to receive a certificate of completion.

Accessibility Requests and Questions:

If you have any questions, or to request any reasonable accommodations that will facilitate your full participation in this training, please contact the OEM Training Program ([email protected]). Please reach out at least two weeks in advance to request any accommodations.

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Host or Publisher Oregon Department of Emergency Management