FFP2706, BFST2706, ATPC2706 Public Information Officer (PIO) course
**PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS COURSE. THIS COURSE IS STILL SEEKING APPROVAL FROM THE FLORIDA STATE FIRE COLLEGE FOR ONLINE TEACHING**
The FFP2706, BFST2706, ATPC2706 Public Information Officer (PIO) course complies with the Job Performance Requirements established by NFPA 1035. The course will familiarize students with the roles and responsibilities of the organizational spokesperson according to current public relations practices. Specific examples from the fire service are used for illustration purposes, in particular case studies from crisis communications that demonstrate the PIO’s role in the incident command system.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand the news media and the various roles, functions, and key terms used by the media industry
- Recognize the ethics and laws that apply to the media industry
- Discuss news events and identify the different types of news events
- Recognize the various categories of media and the specific requirements of each
- Understand media policies and know what needs to be included in an effective media policy
- Understand why the phrase ‘no comment’ is not an appropriate response
- Comprehend the problems and issues commonly associated with public speaking
- Understand the elements of an interview and recognize areas of concern
- Identify potential traps and pitfalls for PIOs
- Understand how proactive media events work, their benefits, and the role of the media in disaster and emergency situations
- Understand the role of the PIO in high-profile events
**Renews Fire Inspector and Instructor.
OTHER COURSES
- FFP 1505 Fire Prevention Practices$175.00All classes are pre-approved by the Florida State Fire College prior to being offered. All instructors are Florida State Certified to teach each course.
FFP 1510 Codes and Standards$195.00Codes & Standards class 45 hours. All classes are pre-approved by the Florida State Fire College prior to being offered.- FFP 1540 Private Fire Protection Systems I$175.00All classes are pre-approved by the Florida State Fire College prior to being offered. All instructors are Florida State Certified to teach each course.
- FFP 1810 Tactics and Strategy I$175.00All classes are pre-approved by the Florida State Fire College prior to being offered. All instructors are Florida State Certified to teach each course.
FFP 2111 Fire Chemistry$200.00All classes are pre-approved by the Florida State Fire College prior to being offered. All instructors are Florida State Certified to teach each course.
About your instructor:
Instructor:
The instructor for this course is the Director of TBS (Tampa Bay Safety) Patrick Competelli. Chief Competelli is the former Fire Chief for the City of Belleair Bluffs Fire Rescue and Former District Fire Chief and Division Chief of Training for the City of Dunedin Fire Rescue.
Education:
Chief Competelli holds a Masters Degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Kansas State University, a Bachelors Degree in Public Administration and Organizational Studies from Eckerd College and two Associates Degrees, one in Fire Science, and one in Emergency Medical Services.
Certifications:
Chief Competelli also holds certifications as a Fire Instructor III, Fire Inspector I, Arson Investigator, Fire Officer II, Fire Extinguisher Technician, Chief Medical Officer, CPR Instructor, First Aid Instructor, Public Information Officer, and is a Nationally Registered Paramedic and Flight Paramedic.
Experience:
Chief Competelli spent the last twenty-five years working in several positions with the Pinellas County Medical Director’s Office to include; Director of Quality Management, Peer Review Committee Facilitator, Medical Communications Officer and Medical Officer of the Day.
GRADES AND ASSIGNMENTS
You are responsible for completing all assignments, papers and group projects (if any) in order to receive full credit for the course. A passing grade is 70% and is considered a “C”. Points will be deducted for late or missing assignments and will affect your final grade. Your final grade must meet a minimum score of 70%, a “C” in order to pass this course.
COURSE CONTENT AND DELIVERY
The course consists of quizzes that will cover information from each lesson and may include group discussions. This course is not yet taught on-line, but should be available on-line in early 2020. To apply for this class, please contact us and we will schedule a course for you.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Each students code of conduct is expected to be exactly what it would be like in a regular classroom atmosphere. Communications on message boards, privately between students and groups or with the instructor or guest instructors is expected to be extremely professional and appropriate. Each student is responsible for his or her own work and will be expelled if found to be sharing information or copying or sharing test information with a student of this course or of any other course taken via the on-line learning portal. Plagiarism is NOT advised.
Please enjoy the course and do not forget to contact your instructor or instructors assistant if you have any questions or problems while navigating through the course. Good Luck.
