SOP 206.02 PUBLIC INFORMATION SECTOR

INTRODUCTION

It is the policy of the Ennis Fire Department to establish and maintain a positive operating relationship with the news media.

This directive will establish a standard operating procedure to provide the news media with information normally requested from the Fire Department on fire and EMS incidents, to control the movements of media-personnel for safety reasons, and to establish an operating framework for Public Information that will effectively integrate into the overall fireground management system.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

Command will be responsible for the management of public information on the fireground. As soon as practical, after basic rescue and fire operations are extended, Command will establish a Public Information Sector. The effective establishment this sector will relieve Command of the need to deal directly with the media during critical command stages and will provide (and structure) the standard information the media will require to accurately report the situation.

The Chief Officer or the Director of Emergency Preparedness will designate the P.I.O. The duties of the P.I.O. may be referenced to EMP - Annex I & Annex N.

Fire personnel should not speak directly to the media concerning a working fire or emergency operation or provide a summary of information except through the P.I.O.

Prior to the arrival of the Staff Public Information Officer, Command may assign an officer or company to Information Sector.

The assigned officer will obtain a Public Information Worksheet from any command car and will begin to gather the information structured on the Worksheet. The blocks on the form require the basic information that will provide the media a basis for a story. The Public Information Officer will station himself in a readily visible and accessible location adjacent to the Command Post to meet and provide information for media personnel.

Radio designation will be "P.I.O."

Individuals assigned to perform “Public Information Officer Sector” functions, should be regulated by the following general guidelines:

If possible, add anything to the basic information on the form that will enhance the story of the situation; such information might include:

An extremely hazardous situation

A rescue

A person or company that did an outstanding job

The extra information will make a better story for the reporters and tell the citizens how the Fire Department provides fire and/or EMS services.

Don't be afraid to talk to reporters. They will report the facts as you give them. Certain factual information may not be released for obvious reasons.

Usually, during the time you are gathering information, you will have inquiries from reporters seeking information. Give them what you have at that point and emphasize that this information is tentative. If it gets to the point that questions from reporters are keeping you from gathering information, use these alternatives:

Tell the reporters to gather in one place and that you will return shortly with more information.

Request additional manpower from Command to utilize as aides in gathering information and stay with the reporters.

Tell the reporters to go ahead and get pictures and film footage without interfering with fireground operations while you are gathering information. Arrange to meet them shortly at a location and give them facts.

If they have deadlines to meet, get a phone number where they can be reached and phone the facts to them as soon as possible.

Before releasing names of persons injured or deceased due to the fire MAKE SURE NEXT OF KIN HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. Police and/or hospitals usually handle notifications. Ask the dispatch supervisor to check with P.D. or hospital to confirm that next of kin has been notified.

Do not use the names of deceased or injured persons over radio until, notification of next of kin has been confirmed.

The individual or company assigned to this Sector may be required to escort media on an orientation tour of the fire damage area following knockdown. This must be cleared with Command before entering the area.

The Public Information Sector wil1be responsible for requiring that all media personnel wear proper protective clothing on the fireground when needed.

Each Sector Officer is responsible for the safety of media personnel in the area. If media personnel create a safety problem, or hinder operations, they should be requested to move in a positive manner. The policy of the Department is to cooperate with the media. AVOID CONFRONTATIONS.

Once the information on the incident has been obtained, reporters on the scene should be informed and telephone contact should be made with any news agencies to make sure they have the needed information.

The following guidelines will describe the information requirements involved in completing the Public Information Worksheet:

Self-explanatory.

The media is interested in the number of units that respond to the emergency, not necessarily their unit designation. They are also interested in total manpower figures. Example: 2 Engines + 1 Aerial Tower + 1 Chief + 2 Ambulances = 6 units and 17 firefighters.

The media will also want to know how long it took the Department to get on the scene, and how long it took to control the situation. Volunteer the other information if it is not asked for.

Tell the media what the first unit on the scene encountered and the action he took. Example: Engine 915 arrived on the scene and the house was well involved. E-915 officer ordered a quick attack with 1-¾ inch lines and ordered Aerial Tower 909 to search and rescue and to secure the utilities. Aerial Tower 909 removed 1 victim who was treated at the scene by EMS.

In the event of injuries, fire or civilian, list the full name, date of birth, extent of injuries and where taken for treatment. In case of fatality - omit extent of injury. Don't release this information until next of kin is notified.

Use this area to denote specific hazards encountered, (i.e., toxic materials, flammable liquids, etc.) and/or special accomplishments (i.e., rescues, good salvage work, etc.). Use this area to talk about private fire protection (i.e., fire was stopped by sprinkler system, a smoke detector would have possibly prevented this fatality, etc.).

When estimating damage, use the figure of $30.00 per square foot. This figure will include carpeting, drapes, furniture, etc. Example: Residence, 3000 sq. ft., fully involved = $90,000. This estimate will be conservative in most cases.

PUBLIC INFORMATION SECTOR WORKSHEET

Incident Number: _______________ (1) Address: ___________________________________

Occupant: ________________________________________

Owner & Address: _____________________________________________________________________________

ASSIGNMENT: (2)

Engines: _________ Aerial Towers/Ladders: ________ Rescue Units: ________

Ambulances: ______ Chiefs: _____ Total Manpower: __________

TIMES: (3)

Dispatch: ____________ On-Scene: __________ Mutual-Aid: _____________

Under Control: ________ Out-Tap: ____________ In-Service: __________

SITUATION ENCOUNTERED / ACTION TAKEN (4)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

INJURIES / FATALITIES (5)

SPECIAL HAZARDS / ACCOMPLISHMENTS (6)

DAMAGE ESTIMATE (7) $_______________________

CAUSE:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________