14Well that escalated quickly.
Quick turn as we shift our focus to COVID-19 response.
Name: Kevin Sur
Assigned: #PIO
Here we gooooooooo…..
This looks a bit different…
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Tag Archives: Public
Big cameras vs phones?
Sunday reflection – just some quick screen shots of the ongoing press conferences from the back on the rotorwing aircraft crash in CA. Take a look.
Do you see it?
Count how many phones vs big cameras.
Amazing to see the change in technology as we move from
My PIO observations
- Try your best to make room for those reporters w/ phones only. Obviously, they can’t pool, so maybe a stand for video.
- Media should be considerate of the notification of next of kin. Loved ones should NEVER find out of death from media reports.
- Malt boxes are nice for secure locations, but likely in an outside field setup (like this one), it might not be possible.
- At the close of the presser, clearly state the time of the next press conference so that media will have a good idea what info will be delivered and of your partners on what to prepare.
- In the mass/swarm of the location, consideration to elevate your primary talent. If that’s not possible, perhaps give them some room around the podium to deliver message.
Good work on an undoubtedly difficult incident.
Breaking news from the official State of Columbia PIO… #APIO
Wait a second…WAIT A SECOND!!!!
2020 FEMA Advanced PIO class. Photo cred: TheGabeLugo
Is that the State of Columbia Public Information Officer making a solid appearance at the 2020 January FEMA EMI Advanced PIO class?!?
OMG~!!! I’m #famous
“I’d like to thank the support of the State of Columbia Governor Düsseldorf (aka Maryland EMA PIO Ed McDonough) for his unwavering support through these years as the State of Columbia PIO…”
Special thanks to Super CCN Reporter Mr. LukeSkyWatcher on his outstanding stories on this evolving incident here in Central City and Emerald City in the State of Columbia.
Photo cred: Niki Bender (@NikiBender)
“We vow to work the recovery for our cities, who are the true beating heart of our State of Columbia. We will dedicate resources to strengthen and rebuild affected areas. Together, we will continue to build a prepared and resilient nation.”
I’ll take a few questions at this time….
A few moments with my favorite JIC Managers
A glimmering light of happiness as I got a chance to spend a few moments with my favorite Joint Information Center (JIC) Managers Beth DeJesus and Erica Creech.
(L to R): Beth DeJesus, Kevin Sur, and Erica Creech. Photo cred: EllaMonster
Beth and Erica were my JIC Managers throughout the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Additionally, Beth was the Cleveland JIC Manager during the December 2016 Christmas plane crash out of Burke. Erica was my JIC Manager during the 2014 Ebola case in Cleveland, 2012 Hurricane Sandy Response, and the 2013 three girls missing in Cleveland case.
During our quick meet up, we talked about work/careers and ongoing efforts. And yeah, they tried to get me to move back to Cleveland.
But most importantly, we talked about family, kids, and the things that really mattered. Hard to believe but this PIO thing isn’t easy and in leadership roles, it’s hard to find people/friends who truly understand the complexities of the position and can sympathize in the daily challenging situations. We all have armor, we just need to decide how long we wear our protective gear.
Just like back in the day, we were able to slot back into our normal self and the redic things that come with Emergency Support Function ESF-15. I miss that kind of camaraderie and the cohesive bonds we shared with so many of our public safety partners from across the state.
Yeah, I miss my favorite JIC Managers…
Do I really need a ringlight?
FEMA OEMA JIC/JIS Course today
Starting out the day with the FEMA OEMA G0291: JIC/JIS course.
So glad to see Father Fire….I mean Chief Warner….I mean Captain Warner here at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
While wearing a different hat, we can confidently say that no matter what uniform we wear, our efforts to protect our community goes beyond just the normal 8-5 job. It truly is a calling for public safety pros to serve their community.
While in module-3, we had a reporter from Cleveland-19 Action News WOIO show up here to do an interview with one of our participants in the class – the Lake County (Ohio) Sheriff Frank Leonbruno.
Solid, poised…
…and deliberate words for the current situation. Well done Sheriff!
<Must have had good PIO instructors huh?>
Fortunately, Cleveland 19 News Reporter Kendall Forward and Videographer Marty DeChant had a few minutes to spare as they were kind enough to share their thoughts on PIO interactions with public safety PIOs.
(L to R): Kendall Forward, Steve Bosso, Kevin Sur, and Marty DeChant
And since I had them with us, I had to ask my favorite question: On the record? Is that really true?
The afternoon provided us the opportunity to bring everyone together in the JIC scenario and collaboration with all attendees. This class addresses various participants but making it all work is the hallmark of Phil Politano’s vision – all culminating in the joint press conference.
Shout out to all participants in this week’s class. Proud of the work you’ve done as well as the contributions to your community.
Welcome to the world of PIO!
More importantly, I am glad to see so many familiar faces this week.Seeing all of you leading your respective departments is inspiring as I truly can say “I knew you when…”
Go forth and Tweet good stuff!
FEMA OEMA Basic PIO Day-2 in Lake County’s EOC
Day-2 of the FEMA OEMA Basic Public Information Officer courses. Back at it for the morning sunshine in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) here in Lake County.
Loving how they still have the nod to the older Civil Defense logos here. 
Steve opted for a faster pace today so he blew through Palumbo Plastics scenario.
After walking through a few tabletop exercises, we shifted into the classroom review of all PIO on-camera interviews. Legit on camera interviews.
The realistic scenario has been shared hundreds if not thousands of times. All of which point to crisis comms, PIOs sharing (or not sharing) information and how they can improve their on camera presence to their audiences through spoken word and non-verbal cues. Pretty much the hallmark of any PIO on camera.
In the mix, Steve shared his EMAC deployment w/ to South Carolina for Hurricane Florence.
Another outstanding day in Lake County as our participants are fully engaged in another class. Looking forward tomorrow with great engagement for the JIC/JIS class.
Day-1 of the FEMA OEMA Basic PIO Course
Day-1 of the FEMA OEMA Basic Public Information Officer course here at Lake County EMA!
With a welcome from Joe and the gang here in Lake County.
For those wondering, how close are we to the nuclear EPZ?
Yeah, real close.
So let’s hit this PIO stuff!
Like all PIO classes, we hit the basics of being a PIO as well as what one can do with a few others tips as the emergency situation gets more complex.
And since we love the real-time training, we pull all participants into the mock interviews.
Awwww yeah, no hiding in our class.
Outstanding first day with all participants from across the state from various public safety agencies including Fire, EMS, Police, Emergency Management, Amateur radio, and other government services.
Phil Politano 😢
Earlier this week on Thursday, I was informed of the passing of Phil Politano.
😢
Just like the PIO world, the news came with an embargo as I was told to hold on the distro of Phil’s passing until more details were released.
I was not ready to hear this.
Then FEMA EMI pushed the info out.
😞 😔 😢 I’ve known Phil for years. 😢
I cherish all my conversations with Phil, bending his ear on ideas, strategies, and how we can better serve our communities as leaders and still be innovative by stretching and setting the bar higher for others to achieve more.
Phil pushed me to do more.
I openly share info and talk about my duties as a PIO.
Again, Phil pushed me to do more.
I told my story about PIOs and how critical they are to the success of our mission in Preparedness, Response, and Recovery.
Phil said you can empower more.
I increased my exposure and worked/traveled/trained more public safety PIOs across the country.
Phil smiled and said in his loud booming voice, “Well done man!”
Over the years, I have literally trained thousands of pros. There is no doubt in my mind, each one of them knows the importance of getting the right message, to the right, people, at the right time.
Phil’s oversight to my official FEMA PIO duties and actions helped make me a better PIO. He was always watching me.
Phil was always watching what I was doing.
Speaking of watching, I knew Phil was always watching me, this turned into a little game called the SURprise. Here’s one time I SURprised Phil at a secure USCG Base in California.
That was a good one.
Another time, I caught him delivering an exercise inject, eating a salad in the sim cell during a functional exercise.
A salad and Sur…who could ask for anything more!?!?!
<Sigh>
In 2018, Phil handed me my FEMA Master PIO certificate.
<sigh>
I was hoping to catch up to him at the end of the month at EMI. However, it seems that God needed a PIO and Phil got the ultimate deployment resource request.
Gonna miss his booming voice….
Gonna miss that side eye…
Gonna miss that PIO guidance…
I’ll just settle for that award winning PIO smile.
Trust me Phil, I’ll definitely take more notes.
Reporting with tears in my eyes…
Congrats on PGFD’s PIO Mark Brady
Congrats to Prince George County Fire PIO Mark Brady on a well deserved upcoming retirement from decades of service to public safety and PIOs.
I have been fortunate to know and work with Mark over the years in professional circles. Legit nice guy and consummate professional.
When I received this note, I was exhausted from working back-to-back Hurricane Irma/Maria Type-1 Federal disasters for months. Worked to the bone and getting very little sleep, I wasn’t quite sure what was going on.
I am grateful for Mark’s specific note to me. And in PIO classes, I talk frequently about Mark’s actions but when it comes to nurturing/growing PIOs, Mark took the time to check in on my well being and safety. Trust me when I tell you, I needed to see this note.
Related: For those that used Brady EMS books, that would be the same family – so yeah, Mark’s family is a legacy in public safety.
Congrats Mark. Enjoy retirement. Indeed, our paths will cross again. #PIO
Where is @rusnivek? 