PORTFOLIO

PUBLIC INFORMATION IN AN ALL-HAZARDS INCIDENT

I had the opportunity to take a class through the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service in July of 2022. My classmates included individuals from county EMAs from all over Alabama, local police and fire personnel, Poarch Creek Indians, and the Alabama Red Cross. This class was a two-day extensive course where we learned how to disseminate information in disaster situations, and focused on the role of a PIO, or public information officer. We planned and gave mock press conferences with an hour's notice, and looked at recent disasters, and how we could improve moving forward. This class opened my eyes to the role that emergency managers and public service workers play in the safety and preparedness planning for our communities.