FEMA IS-29.A: Public Information Officer Awareness Answers

1

To effectively get your message out:

  • Use social media exclusively; it is the fastest growing media.
  • Avoid using in-person events because it is difficult to control the message.
  • Identify a single media source to focus all your campaign resources.
  • Identify the best mix of different media to influence your target audience.
2

A media area is a:

  • Location where tools to enhance the flow of public information are housed.
  • Location used to restrict access to an area due to space limitations or safety issues.
  • Designated place where the media can congregate to help enhance the flow of information.
  • Fundamental element of emergency management used to complete the tasks of information sharing.
3

Email is a good tool for communicating within your organization because:

  • It is less expensive than other media.
  • It is the main source of news for Americans.
  • You generally have access to email distribution lists.
  • Other forms of electronic media are too new to use.
4

When presenting at a news briefing or responding to media questions, some do’s include: avoid fillers, look at
the audience, stick to your main point, and:

  • Answer hypothetical questions.
  • Turn a negative question into a positive.
  • Provide trusted sources with ‘off the record’ quotes.
  • Offer your opinion when asked.
5

When determining how to get your message out, you need a medium that can provide many details so you select:

  • Print.
  • Radio.
  • Television.
  • Micro-blog.
6

You implement a media pool because:

  • The safe areas to operate are limited.
  • The media needs ‘convenience’ facilities.
  • You do not want the media to record certain scenes.
  • The media needs a clear line of sight to satellite towers.
7

When holding a news conference or briefing:

  • Only have a PIO speak.
  • Memorize a written speech.
  • Have it outside for maximum impact.
  • Develop materials for the audience.
8

According to a Pew Research Center project, the main sources of news information for Americans are television and:

  • Radio.
  • Magazines.
  • The Internet.
  • Newspapers.
9

Timing is a crucial element in a public awareness campaign. Select the campaign below that has the LEAST appropriate timing:

  • Change your clock, change your battery campaign in October.
  • Tornado awareness in April.
  • First day of school campaign in August.
  • Hurricane awareness in December.
10

Blogs are good to use if you want to:

  • Explain your organization’s mission and goals.
  • Post personal information.
  • Post information that you also put on your Web site.
  • Have one-way communication.
11

When an incident happens, the Public Information Officer (PIO) should first:

  • Prepare a news release.
  • Set up a media area.
  • Make contact with the Incident Commander at the scene.
  • Call the media to make a statement.
12

An important part of the Public Information Officer’s relationship with the media is knowing what they want. During an incident, the media want all of the following EXCEPT:

  • To disrupt the integrity of the scene.
  • An explanation of the big picture.
  • Access to the scene for information and images.
  • Prompt answers to their questions.
13

Emergency public information is:

  • Information developed and disseminated in anticipation of, during, or after an event to provide life-saving and other information.
  • Information collected, assembled, disseminated, and maintained by an organization in connection with the transaction of official business and available to the public.
  • Information about services available from government and nongovernmental organizations, often through multifaceted campaigns.
  • Information between an organization and its audiences, often to build rapport or positive public image.
14

Some general writing tips for developing clear, concise, an organized materials include writing for your audience, using parallel construction, starting with the main point, and using:

  • Long sentences to convey your message.
  • Acronyms and jargon.
  • Passive voice.
  • Easy-to-understand language.
15

Which of the following statements about the skills and knowledge that a Public Information Officer (PIO) needs to be successful is FALSE?

  • A PIO needs to be able to build relationships with the media representatives.
  • A PIO needs to have a thorough understanding of his or her community.
  • A PIO needs to have emergency management knowledge.
  • A PIO only needs to know what the boss wants them to know.
16

The best goals are recorded, time bound, and:

  • Smart, measurable, and attainable.
  • Specific, measurable, and attainable.
  • Smart, maintainable, and attainable.
  • Specific, measurable, and accessible.
17

In the Incident Command System (ICS) structure, the Public Information Officer (PIO):

  • Manages resources including supplies, personnel, and equipment.
  • Is the conduit for information to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Monitors costs related to the incident, and provides accounting and procurement analyses.
  • Focuses on activities to reduce the hazard and save lives and property.
18

A hurricane has hit your community, and the media have started to report negatively on your organization’s response. As the PIO, you respond by:

  • Calling your favorite reporter to give her an exclusive.
  • Providing information and updates to the media in a timely manner.
  • Putting a message on your voicemail that the situation is being taken very seriously and negative reports are inaccurate.
  • Shielding senior officials from comment.
19

As a Public Information Officer, you provide the community with information that does the following:

  • Calls people to action.
  • Educates and informs.
  • Changes behavior or attitudes.
  • All of the above.
20

A physical location where PIOs can gather and the media can go for ‘one-stop shopping’ is called:

  • The Joint Information System.
  • A Public Information Unit.
  • The Incident Command System.
  • A Joint Information Center.
21

You are going to issue a news release. Select the most newsworthy event from those listed below:

  • Last month the library in a neighboring county held a recycling event.
  • This week your organization will provide sessions on tornado preparedness.
  • Two weeks ago a tropical storm struck the southeast coast.
  • Next week your organization will host a benefits seminar for employees.
22

An online community where people connect and share interests and activities is a:

  • Social Network.
  • Really Simple Syndication (RSS) Feed.
  • Blog.
  • Wiki.
23

It is important to make sure that the media coverage your organization is receiving is accurate, fair, and balanced by:

  • Providing trusted sources with information.
  • Withholding negative information from the media.
  • Sending email updates to the media.
  • Monitoring the media coverage.
24

Your organization has decided to implement a preparedness campaign. You immediately:

  • Identify television stations for placing your campaign message.
  • Determine that the campaign should run for 2 weeks.
  • Conduct research on your community.
  • Develop a catchy slogan.
25

News releases are one of the most commonly used tools by PIOs. The order of information for a news release is:

  • Less important information, details, official quote.
  • Most important information, less important information, sentence supporting the lead.
  • Most important information, sentence supporting the lead, less important information.
  • Official quote, most important information, details.

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