Laserfiche WebLink
6.0 PUBLIC INFORMATION & EDUCATION <br />6.1 GENERAL <br />This section provides guidance for keeping the public informed about <br />potential hazards present at chemical facilities, emergency responses <br />required to cope with a hazardous material emergency, and protective <br />measures that can be taken to minimize or alleviate adverse public health <br />effects. This section also provides procedures for the timely and accurate <br />collection, coordination, and dissemination of such information to the <br />public. <br />6.2 PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICERS <br />Public Information Officers (PIOs) are those persons authorized by their <br />organizations to release news and background information to the media, <br />monitor events and summarize information for distribution to responders <br />and the media, coordinate and verify information from and with all entities, <br />assure support with regard to timely notification to the public, and assist <br />public information spokesperson(s) maintain records of news releases <br />and public information as well as a log of events. Specific duties to be <br />performed by PIOs include the following: <br />Collect, edit, and release information and instructions to the media; <br />2. Establish contact with wire services; <br />3. Assist news media personnel in the performance of their functions, <br />including accreditation and identification; <br />4. Coordinate the release of information with facility representative <br />and county information officer; <br />5. Brief the news media as conditions warrant; and <br />6. Keep concerned staffs informed through "in-house" news summary <br />bulletins. <br />Indian River County Emergency Plan for Hazardous Materials Page 40 <br />