Fire and emergency public relations management

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Management of information spread between fire service departments and the public
Conclusion
References

Introduction

The efficient control of information between fire service organizations and public enables individuals to gain exposure concerning fire and emergency management plans. In other words, fire service organizations use public relations to persuade and inform communities and other stakeholders about fire and emergency management plans.

In order to inform the public concerning handling fire emergencies, fire departments utilize various communication channels including conferences, press and print media. The channels are also used to communicate vital fire related services information to the public (Birr, 1999).

In addition, fire services departments utilize publicity events, newsletters, blogs and press kits as well as the video and audio news to communicate fire emergency preparedness to the public. Most importantly, the public need to be informed in advance on fire management, which encompasses prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

In essence, the fire emergency management forms a cycle of interconnected phases regarding the control of fire (Birr, 1999). In reality, the efficiency of fire management depends on continuous public updates by fire service departments through the application of various communication channels including visual and audio news communiqué conduits. In fact, the availability of efficient public relations tools enables fire services departments to improve fire and emergency management.

Fire prevention and mitigation

The prevention and elimination of fire occurrences involve the utilization of Fire Station Alerting Technology (FSAT). Through the technology, the response time to the emergency is reduced leading to timely prevention of fire disaster. In essence, the FSAT communication expertise alerts fire fighters when required for action.

In addition, with the presence of web expertise, fire departments are capable of tactically maintaining the public relations and carrying out tasks through the exploitation of audience-directed communication approaches concerning fire management programs.

Periodicals, public education handouts and the mass media are channels that are highly accessible to millions of residents (Antonellis, 2012). Therefore, fire service departments employ such means to provide information to the public and stakeholders concerning fire disasters management and prevention. Further, through information management departments, the fire service departments are capable of developing websites that aid in the provision of essential information on fire prevention and mitigation.

Emergency preparedness

During firebreaks, numbers of victims saved depend on the plans and procedures put in place to reduce the losses. In other words, the level of emergency preparedness is enhanced through planning and training. In reality, training and planning are important in the enhancement of most reactions in the event fire outbreaks. In addition, public responses to fire emergencies also determine the number of victims that can be saved. As such, public relations become critical tool for public information concerning fire emergencies management.

The preparation for potential fire disasters involves initiation of procedures, designs and protocols as well as tactics such as the establishment of incident command systems to aid in the organization of public in reacting to fire emergencies.

In addition, preparedness in terms of fire management entails the development of hazard policies and processes by fire service departments through collaboration with other stakeholders including law enforcement agencies and medical services. Further, fire emergency preparedness involves allocation of duties to employees and the definition of duty lines pertaining to work processes. Most importantly, informing the public on how to react during emergencies is critical in the fire disaster preparedness (Baltic, 2006).

Response

Fire service departments often keep multiple response programs as well as capabilities regarding fire emergencies. Through emergency operation plans, fire service units are capable of developing effective outlines for controlling and responding to fire outbreaks. In this regard, the emergency operations plan enables preservation of lives and the environment (Baltic, 2006).

Recovery

Fire service organizations often continue carrying out emergency operations after fire outbreaks to ensure prevention and elimination of such emergencies in the future. The accomplishment of such objectives includes the identification and development of contexts through which continuous operations can be conducted (Antonellis, 2012).

Recovery is important in restoring normalcy in the working environment after fire disasters. In fact, fire emergency recovery encompasses physical, structural, psychological and emotional restorations.

Management of information spread between fire service departments and the public

In order to achieve efficient spread of information on fire emergency management, various communication centers are utilized. First, through the Public Information Units (PIU), fire service organizations are capable of improving public relations programs (Baltic, 2006).

In other words, the unit provides correspondence to repetitive media calls from the public as well as forwarding the organization’s fire emergency management information to media houses for release to the public. Frequent press conferences aimed at augmenting publicity campaigns on initiatives undertaken by fire service providers in managing fire emergencies are essential. The press conferences result in public enlightenment on fire and emergency management initiatives.

Moreover, through command and dispatch centers, the fire service providers ensure that fire and emergency management episodes are covered in the local news broadcasts as well as in the print media (DiPoli, 2005). In other words, fire service providers often make use of centralized systems in enhancing response to fire emergencies. Essentially, the personnel are normally tasked with the harmonization of information relating to emergency preparedness across states.

Secondly, through multimedia units, fire service organizations are capable of producing public graphic arts, multimedia presentations as well as designs concerning fire emergency management. Additionally, the multimedia unit is capable of creating video presentations, animations and other published documents that are used to communicate to the public emergency management plans undertaken by fire service providers.

Moreover, fire services departments exploit the multimedia unit in the production of books containing vital information that provides guidelines for operations of fire and emergency management (Giesler, 2010).

For instance, the publications provide guidelines for First-In Response (FIR), truck company manuals as well as post-incident policies. The media publications are also availed to fire service departments during training services in order to enhance public awareness regarding emergency prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

Third, fire service departments recognize the imperative roles played by the communications unit. Through the unit, periodic newspapers are produced targeting different audiences including the personnel, county and city officers, native communities and fire officers. The publications provide efficient information concerning fire and emergency management plans. Communications department also controls the online sites for both public and employees through the presentation of scripts, messages and speaking points.

The presentation scripts and speaking points are invaluable in supporting operational activities regarding emergency management plans (DiPoli, 2005). The unit allows fire service departments to express core values as well as visions that are significant in the accomplishment of fire emergency management plans. Moreover, the communications unit’s personnel are capable of creating public cognizance on emergency response and preparedness in the event of fire occurrence.

Fourth, fire service departments often use photo units to convey information relating to fire and emergency management to the public. In the unit, disaster reaction, preclusion and awareness to the public are augmented. In essence, the photo unit employs assorted photography types, episode images portraits, aerial shots and studio lightings in communicating fire predicament management. As a result, members of the public are capable of obtaining efficient information regarding emergency management.

Fire service departments also utilize audience targeting to convey information regarding fire and emergency management due to differing interests of audiences (Birr, 1999). As such, fire service providers exploit video units in supporting public data and community education on fire and emergency control to reach different audiences.

For instance, through the video units, fire departments are capable of accumulating numerous intervallic video publications to varieties of audiences. The video publications are significant in the provision of information to the public and employees as well as educating the fire service employees on issues concerning fire and emergency management.

Fire service providers exploit Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) program. The program engages the community through provision of training on fire and emergency management. Through the program, the public are provided with information about emergency preparedness during fire crisis (Baltic, 2006).

Additionally, the program provides members of the public with adversity response skills such as fire safety and rescue operations. The skills are imperative in helping members of the public in assisting other members during fire emergency responses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the efficiency in managing fire emergencies depends on the control of information spread within the fire departments. As such, the management of communication on fire emergency prevention, response, preparedness and recovery involves the utilization of audience targeting and various information units including the multimedia, video and photo units as well as community emergency response units in the conveyance of fire and emergency management plans.

References

Antonellis, P. J. (2012). Labor relations for the fire service. Tulsa, Oklahoma: Fire Engineering Books

Baltic, S. (2006). All the learned and authentic fellows. Fire Engineering, 40(12): 24-29.

Birr, T. (1999). Public and media relations for the fire service. Tulsa, Oklahoma: PennWell Books.

DiPoli, R. A. (2005). End the ‘burning baby’ approach. Fire Chief, 39(8): 68-70.

Giesler, M. P. (2010). Fire and life safety educator. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.

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