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Fire departments are an integral part of the community we serve.  The majority of fire department-community relations occur in moments of crisis with departments responding to the fire or EMS call.  If fire departments are going to continue being relevant in the 21st century, we...

We often fall into the trap of assuming the citizens within our protection area only need us when there is an emergency. The reality is that in today’s fire service, we can offer far more to the public than just jumping on the truck when the tones go off. Sometimes these...

In part 1, we discussed several items that you should consider when evaluating candidates for the role of fire department public information officer (PIO). As you saw it isn’t easy. Let’s examine a few more considerations to help you round out a good evaluation process. The...

The role of a public information officer (PIO) within your organization must be highly considered within this new age of social media. As the demand for current information rapidly evolves so must you and your organization to these demands. The only way to keep ahead of this and...

Have you ever thought of what your department’s social media IQ is? How would your department measure theirs? What does this mean to you as a firefighter? Is it important? Actually it means a lot and you need to know why. As the fire service evolves  daily the more it...

Technology today has its eyes on everyone and everything, and it can be sent around the world in an instant, and there is nearly no stopping it. I tell my guys that as soon as the bay doors open someone’s watching. Not only are they watching, but our words and actions are being...

With the advent of social media the fire service can now tell the public, their customer, about what they are doing faster than ever before. No longer do they have to wait until a press release is written, distributed to the news media, and for the media to print it (or maybe...

In part 2  of our series I discussed why it is important for a department to develop social media policy. As I discussed the department must make every effort to control the information flow to the public when it comes to their operations. If misinformation or inappropriate...

Each and every PIO/spokesperson needs to follow these rules/guidelines to be successful in their job. Remember you are the face of your department and are highly visible. Represent well with a strong voice, articulate words, and positive presence. PIO Commandment #1: always...

In part 1 we discussed the reasons why your department needs a social media policy. In part 2 we will explore how to develop this policy and discuss some of the important items you should always include in your policy. Social media for the fire service is a venture that needs to...