Document Actions
Basic Guidance for Public Information Officers (PIOs): National Incident Management Systems (NIMS)
Title: Basic Guidance for Public Information Officers (PIOs): National Incident Management Systems (NIMS)
Date: November 2007
Author: N/A
Institution: FEMA
Bibliographic Entry: “Basic Guidance for Public Information Officers: National Incident Management Systems (NIMS).” FEMA. Department of Homeland Security. November 2007. http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=3095 (accessed February 6, 2008).
Electronic Link: http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=3095
Key Words: Public Information Officers (PIOs), Joint Information System (JIS), Joint Information Center (JIC), Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), National Incident Communications Conference Line (NICCL), State Incident Communications Conference Line (SICCL)
Summary of Key Points, Issues, Conclusions:
This report provides the structure for local Public Information Officers (PIOs) to coordinate with federal, state and tribal officers within the Incident Command System (ICS). The ICS has five main management functions: Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics and Finance/Administration. It also offers basic procedures to operate an effective Joint Information System (JIS). Within the ICS, this report breaks down the five areas of preparedness, disaster and emergency response, JIS and Joint Information Center (JIC), recovery and integration with federal support.
Preparedness includes creating public information campaigns; conducting training, exercises and media relations; making considerations for special needs populations; communications equipment and resources,;JIS/JIC joint planning; and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). Disaster and emergency response expands on the roles of PIOs in emergency response – how to inform the public and additional audiences and pre-planning for potential occurrences. JIS/JIC joint operations provides the common roles and functions for both entities and describes the process for demobilizing a JIC. Recovery practices and recovery evaluation are described. Finally, communications protocols for integrating federal support are given, as well as procedures for use of the National Incident Communications Conference Line (NICCL) and State Incident Communications Conference Line (SICCL).
Name of Researcher: Julie Curry
Institution: Integrative Center for Homeland Security, Texas A&M University
Date Posted: February 11, 2008