Public Information Policy for Fire Departments
The public information policy for a fire department is to provide accurate and relevant information to the public in the event of fire emergencies and to provide ongoing fire safety and prevention tips.
Other People Are Reading
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Communicating Prevention
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Communicating fire prevention is an important goal of any fire department. The public information officer (PIO) communicates to the public how to avoid potential fire dangers in the home, such as faulty smoke detectors and careless kitchen practices.
Fire Reporting
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During a fire, the PIO provides the basic facts of the fire, including the cause, people injured/killed and current status.
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Media Interactions
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The PIO keeps a relationship with local media, providing timely and accurate information that reporters demand during a fire and using the media as a tool for important communications.
Diverse Populations
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PIOs must communicate in different languages and be prepared for particular fire dangers in areas with large immigrant populations. For instance, according to Rob Brisley, PIO for the Charlotte (North Carolina) Fire Department, some immigrants do not trust banks and have life savings hidden in their homes, increasing the likelihood they will venture back into house fires.
New Technologies
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Fire departments have expanded into social media to keep their ties with the community strong. Twitter, Facebook, Skype and others are used for speedy communication.
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References
- Photo Credit fire extinguisher image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
