Objectives
* Discuss media relations and characteristics of both public safety responders and members of the media.
* List ways in which to approach the media about newsworthy events.
* List parts of a basic press release.
* Discuss issues associated with expectations and images prior to meeting the media.
* Consider suggestions for live interviews using case studies to review others' mistakes.

Topic Highlights
Multi-alarm fires, interstate bus crashes, even multiple shooting victims. Fire and EMS providers can care for these issues with little difficulty, but when the media shows up, the real fear begins.

This session will take on one of the toughest parts of the job: providing on scene information to members of the press. Being able to provide information to the press during your local crisis may not be the part of the job you signed up for but it is a requirement. It can even be a benefit to the perception the public holds of your department if the right message gets out during the critical time.

Audience/Track
This class is for the chief officer, newly appointed PIO, educator or other administrative department official.