The Public Information Officer (PIO) serves as the primary point of contact between the Incident Management Team and the public, media, and partner agencies, ensuring timely, accurate, and coordinated information throughout incident operations. As a member of the Command Staff, the PIO plays a critical role in managing communications and supporting situational awareness.

Course Overview

ICS-403 prepares emergency management and response personnel for the role of Public Information Officer (PIO) on an Incident Management Team. The course builds on ICS fundamentals and focuses on the PIO’s duties and responsibilities, including incident communications, media relations, and coordination with Command Staff and partner agencies.

Who This Course Is For?

• Personnel assigned or preparing to serve as Public Information Officer
• Assistant Public Information Officers
• IMT members seeking deeper understanding of incident communications
• Public or private sector responders working within ICS environments

Course Objectives

• Explain the role and importance of the Public Information Officer during incident operations, including initial response.
• Describe the fundamentals of information management and how to establish the PIO staff and workspace.
• Develop an effective communications strategy and media plan for sharing incident information.
• Demonstrate best practices for media relations, including social media engagement and problem-solving during incidents.
• Identify the roles and responsibilities of Assistant Public Information Officers and their relationship to the PIO.
• Explain how to build and maintain effective relationships with the Incident Management Team and participate in meetings and briefings.
• Describe steps for establishing and maintaining community relations during an incident.
• Apply appropriate actions for managing special situations involving public information.
• Describe safety considerations for PIOs and those they escort or work with in the incident. environment.
• Outline the PIO’s responsibilities during incident transition and demobilization.
• Evaluate PIO effectiveness and apply lessons learned through exercise components.

Delivery Format
Activities may include instructor-led, in-person training supported by realistic scenario-based learning. group discussion and facilitated instruction, media briefings and role-play exercises, incident communication planning activities, problem-solving exercises, and asynchronous activities.

Duration

Four days (31 hours)

Pre-requisite (required)

Successful completion of ICS-300

Note: This course aligns with FEMA’s National Preparedness Course Catalog for the NIMS ICS All-Hazards Public Information Officer (0952) but is not an official FEMA course and does not confer FEMA certification.

Comparable Courses

• FEMA E/L952
• NWCG S-403
• USCG ICS-403

Next Steps

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