Public & Media Relations for the Fire Service

by Tim Birr

Overview

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 master the basics of the game and begins with an overview of public relations and the role of reporters. The middle of the book provides insight into how to choose a PIO and the role of that person. This is followed by a brief discussion of skills and preparations as well as policies for providing information and statements and concludes with a listing of sources for additional training. Working with the media should be an ongoing process not just at fires or emergencies but throughout the year to help you get your message across to the community that you serve. This book is not for public relations professional or advertising agencies, but is intended for fire service personnel and managers and those who want to know more about public and media relations. This is the first book of its kind dedicated to helping the fire service with media relations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780912212791
Publisher:	Fire Engineering Books & Videos
Publication date:	01/01/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	156
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.37(d)

Table of 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
• Appendix I - Model public information: Policy & procedure
• Appendix II - Model public information: Plan for major emergencies
• Appendix III - Oregon Bar/Press/Broadcasters Joint statement of principles

Editorial Reviews

A survival guide for fire service managers in small to mid-size departments who need to know more about public and media relations in the Information Age. Advice is given with the knowledge that most fire departments have limited resources to devote to public relations, and that techniques are more important than technology. Offers suggestions for dealing with reporters, interviews, legal considerations, roles and skills of a public information officer, involvement in major news stories, and connecting with the community. Appendices offer model plans, policies, and procedures. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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