PIO

Question 1

how do you request a PIO

Answer 1

• A captain or above requests a “Code N” through FCCF dispatch in the “newsworthy” event of incidents such as: oil spill, drowning, boat on the beach, controversial etc.

Question 2

Who CANNOT talk to the media

Answer 2

• OL and OLS cannot talk to the media unless approved by the PIO
• A captain can speak about high surf, rip currents, rescues numbers, beach attendance, and beach safety
  messages.

Question 3

What is the LG’s main objective when talking to the media

Answer 3

• educate the public on ocean conditions and safety
• show how our department serves the community
• convey our profession as well trained, professional, and integral to public safety

Question 4

How does an OLS decline an interview

Answer 4

• ensure your not evading the media, but rather passing to the proper channels
• refer them to your PIO
• if asked to comment on another agency, refer them to that agency for comment

Question 5

What are the uniform guidelines when giving an interview

Answer 5

• no sunglasses, clean grooming/uniform, wear county hat

Question 6

What are the do’s and don’t of interacting with the media

Answer 6

• DON’T: release info such as, age, addresses, vehicle or vessel identifiers, the extent of injuries, or any other unique identifying number, code, or characteristic.

Don’t, use hypotheticals or acronyms, don’t answer a question you don’t know the answer to, don’t rush, don’t release facts, don’t discredit other agencies, don’t wear sunglasses.

• DO: prepare two to three safety messages that can be turned into a soundbite, speak in layman’s terms, tell the truth, correct yourself if you misspoke