PIO Calendar

NFPA 1030: Public Information Officer
2026-06-24 08:00 - 2026-06-26 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Alabama Fire College, 2501 Phoenix Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35405, United States
This course is based on NFPA 1030: Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Prevention Program Positions, Chapter 12, Public Information Officer, 2024 Edition. This course is designed for individuals seeking the knowledge and skills to conduct media interviews, prepare news releases, and media advisories.

Cost: $220 In-State / $400 Out-Of-State
Prerequisites: 18 years of age; High school diploma/GED
Required Resources:

Public Information Officer, Second Edition
Certification Course Syllabus
Practical Exam Materials
Laptop that can produce Microsoft Office or Adobe PDF documents

LEMIT Public Information Officer
2026-06-29 00:00 - 2026-07-01 23:59 (America/New_York) | LEMIT Criminal Justice Center, 1600 Bobby K. Marks Blvd., Huntsville, TX, 77341, United States
The Public Information Officer (PIO) course is designed for public safety personnel responsible for managing, disseminating, and overseeing information on behalf of their departments or organizations. Open to potential, newly assigned, and experienced PIOs—as well as administrative executives involved in public communication—the program equips participants with the essential skills and “tools of the trade” needed to handle both routine operations and community crises effectively. Through interactive, hands-on exercises, participants learn to write media releases, conduct interviews and on-camera briefings, and engage with social media and other communication platforms. The course emphasizes situational awareness, public relations strategies, and evaluation of public information campaigns, preparing attendees to serve as confident, credible, and effective voices for their agencies in any circumstance. (****Course mandated to meet requirements of SB33; the Uvalde Strong Act.)

FEMA Executive Public Information Officer FY27 Application Due
2026-06-30 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York) | National Disaster & Emergency Management University, 16825 S. Seton Ave, Emmitsburg, MD, 21727, United States
The Executive Public Information Officer Program (EPIOP) is the final component of the public information training series. This program consists of a three (3) course series that prepares public information officers for executive-level leadership, strategic decision-making, and trusted advisor roles.
The program focuses on the most critical competencies for public information leaders. EPIOP participants work within a collaborative environment on projects and establish a network of peers.
EPIOP participants will contribute to the body of knowledge for public information.

FBI-LEEDA Media and Public Relations (MPR)
2026-07-06 00:00 - 2026-07-10 23:59 (America/New_York) | Coatesville, Pennsylvania, Coatesville, PA, United States
The FBI-LEEDA Media and Public Relations (MPR) course is a 4 ½-day intense curriculum developed to assist law enforcement in communication with not only the media, but the communities they serve. The course is suitable for chiefs and commanders who may deal with the media on a regular or ad hoc basis and full-time/part-time Public Information Officers (PIOs). This class provides proven strategies and best-practices for media relations, crisis communications and social media. Students will learn to prepare and deliver messages. The session features numerous desktop and on-camera exercises. Participants are asked to bring a laptop or tablet to class.

FBI-LEEDA Media and Public Relations (MPR)
2026-07-06 00:00 - 2026-07-10 23:59 (America/New_York) | San Antonio, TX, San Antonio, TX, United States

MGT-318 Public Information in an All-Hazards Incident
2026-07-07 00:00 - 2026-07-08 23:59 (America/New_York) | Durham, NC, Durham, NC, United States
This course examines the role of public information in all-hazards incident management and provides practical training in crisis communication techniques. In a major incident, it is of critical importance that community leaders, incident managers, and Public Information Officers (PIO) are prepared to communicate with the public through traditional and social media. This course focuses on the role of public information in all-hazards incident management; the information needs of the press and public in a crisis; and strategies for planning, conducting, and managing the public information effort during a crisis event.

MGT-318 Public Information in an All-Hazards Incident
2026-07-07 00:00 - 2026-07-08 23:59, 2026-07-09 00:00 - 2026-07-10 23:59 (America/New_York) | College Station, TX, College Station, TX, United States

K0105 Public Information Basics
2026-07-07 00:00 - 2026-07-09 23:59 (America/New_York) | https://piocalendar.com/event/k0105-public-information-basic-5/
To equip participants with the skills needed to be full or part-time PIOs, including oral and written communications; understanding and working with the media; and basic tools and techniques to perform effectively as a PIO, both in the proactive/ advocacy times and crisis/ emergency response.

T-PUB4033: Texas Public Information Officer
2026-07-07 00:00 - 2026-07-09 23:59 (America/Chicago) | Lumbertson ISD Center for Performing Arts, 100 S. LHS Drive, Lumberton, TX, 77657, United States
The Texas Public Information Officer Course will provide initial information for those individuals who are employed or appointed by a state agency or local government entity and whose duties include communicating with the public during a disaster regarding the importance of early communication and coordination of crisis information.

T-PUB4033: Texas Public Information Officer
2026-07-07 00:00 - 2026-07-09 23:59 (America/Chicago) | Abilene, TX, Abilene, TX, United States

PER-343 Social Media Engagement Strategies
2026-07-08 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York) | Renaissance Austin Hotel, 9721 Arboretum Blvd, Austin, TX, 78759, United States
This eight-hour performance-level course is designed to provide participants with knowledge and skills using social media tools to engage individuals and volunteer organizations for assistance during an emergency. Participants will learn about social media engagement techniques, individual and organizational roles in crisis communication, and Virtual Operations Support Teams (VOST).
Imported Details
Registration: https://ndptc.hawaii.edu/training/?course=31&state=&training_method=&start= | Location: Springfield, IL

UT Social Media Dynamics: A Crisis Response Simulation (online)
2026-07-09 00:00 - 2026-07-10 23:59 (America/New_York) | https://piocalendar.com/event/ut-social-media-dynamics-a-crisis-response-simulation-online/
This course is offered ONLINE via Zoom. Prior to the start date of the class, you will receive an email with the Zoom link. Invoice must be paid to receive link.
Hands-On Learning: Engage in realistic, fast-paced simulations that replicate real-world social media crises.
Master Crisis Management: Develop critical skills to effectively navigate and mitigate public relations challenges in digital spaces.
Real-Time Decision Making: Learn to think on your feet with live scenarios that test your strategic response under pressure.
Expert-Led Insights: Gain industry best practices from seasoned professionals in crisis communication and social media strategy.
Ideal for Professionals: Perfect for Public Information Officers, Social Media Managers, corporate communicators, and anyone navigating the digital landscape.

FBI-LEEDA Media and Public Relations (MPR)
2026-07-13 00:00 - 2026-07-17 23:59 (America/New_York) | Pecos, Texas, Pecos, TX, United States

FBI-LEEDA Master Public Information Officer (MPO)
2026-07-13 00:00 - 2026-07-17 23:59 (America/New_York) | Madison, Alabama, Madison, AL, United States
Building off of the FBI-LEEDA Media & Public Relations course, the Master Public Information Officer course moves the participant from the tactical to the strategic level of media and brand management. Participants will spend 4 ½ days exploring; the business model of media engagement, take a deeper dive into cultivating a brand image through internal and external communications, and learn how to proactively pitch stories in today’s 24/7 news environment. Students will learn the advanced means of creating high-quality in-house videos for social media, develop messaging calendars, and learn the art of being a strategic advisor. This course will build on crisis management skills in tabletop exercises designed to build the framework for a crisis communication manual.

T-PUB4033: Texas Public Information Officer
2026-07-14 00:00 - 2026-07-16 23:59 (America/Chicago) | Angelo State University Emergency Operations Center, 2410 Vanderventer Ave, San Angelo, TX, 76909, United States

T-PUB4033: Texas Public Information Officer
2026-07-14 00:00 - 2026-07-16 23:59 (America/Chicago) | West Texas A&M University, 600 WTAMU Drive, Canyon, TX, 79016, United States

T-PUB4033: Texas Public Information Officer
2026-07-14 00:00 - 2026-07-16 23:59 (America/Chicago) | Texas A&M International University, 5201 University Blvd, Laredo, TX, United States

Correctional Communications Administrator
2026-07-14 00:00 - 2026-07-17 23:59 (America/New_York) | National Institute of Corrections (NIC) Corrections Academy, 11900 E. Cornell Ave, Aurora, CO, 80014, United States
The Correctional Communications Administrator (CCA) course aims to advance public safety by shaping and enhancing the practices of correctional communication staff through leadership, learning, and innovation.
Program Overview and History
The CCA course was developed in response to an observed need to provide more formalized training to develop, support, enhance, and expand the role of the correctional communications administrator. In the past, communications directors in prisons and those in similar roles in jails would meet separately for symposiums through the National Institute of Corrections. The new CCA curriculum was designed to align communications training between jail and prison CCAs to expand the knowledge and skill base available to those in the role.
LEADERSHIP FOCUS
NIC recognizes the important role of communication staff in the orderly operations of correctional agencies and the safety of staff, incarcerated individuals, and the public. The most successful agencies in corrections are those whose leadership masters a comprehensive agenda to address the expectations that stakeholders demand. Consistency, transparency, and the ability to communicate an agency’s mission effectively inside and outside the organization is paramount. During this course, we will concentrate on the prominence of this leadership role and the knowledge and skills needed to effectively communicate on behalf of a corrections organization.
PROGRAM DELIVERY
The CCA course incorporates a variety of instructional strategies, including lectures, small group work, and individual activities.

PER-343 Social Media Engagement Strategies
2026-07-15 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York) | Springfield, IL, Springfield, IL, United States
This eight-hour performance-level course is designed to provide participants with knowledge and skills using social media tools to engage individuals and volunteer organizations for assistance during an emergency. Participants will learn about social media engagement techniques, individual and organizational roles in crisis communication, and Virtual Operations Support Teams (VOST).
The course will supplement and build upon NDPTC’s existing FEMA-certified performance-level course entitled “Social Media Platforms in Disaster Management” (PER-304-W) by providing social media strategies for engaging the public during disaster events.

MGT-318 Public Information in an All-Hazards Incident
2026-07-15 00:00 - 2026-07-16 23:59 (America/New_York) | Largo, FL, Largo, FL, United States

LEMIT Public Information Officer
2026-07-20 00:00 - 2026-07-22 23:59 (America/New_York) | Hyatt Regency Conroe (TX), 1001 Grand Central Parkway, Conroe, TX, 77304, United States

FBI-LEEDA Media and Public Relations (MPR)
2026-07-20 00:00 - 2026-07-24 23:59 (America/New_York) | Punta Gorda, Florida, Punta Gorda, FL, United States

FBI-LEEDA Media and Public Relations (MPR)
2026-07-20 00:00 - 2026-07-24 23:59 (America/New_York) | Monroe, North Carolina, Monroe, NC, United States

FEMA E/L0388 Advanced Public Information Officer
2026-07-20 00:00 - 2026-07-24 23:59 (America/New_York) | Hager Lifelong Education Center, 1037 West 3rd Street, Williamsport, PA, 17701, United States
The National Response Framework (NRF) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) devote significant attention to the importance of emergency public information. Public Information Officers are key members of the ICS and EOC organizations, and work closely with officials who are part of Multiagency Coordination Groups. PIOs advise the Incident Commander, Unified Command, and EOC director on public information relating to incident management.
With public information included as a function within NIMS and within ICS, it is critical to address and provide training for this important element of Emergency Management.
The National Disaster & Emergency Management University (NDEMU) Public Information Officer (PIO) training curriculum includes courses delivered at the awareness, basic, advanced and master levels. The basic level course was developed by NDEMU and is managed by NDEMU or state emergency management trainers who teach basic skills and techniques for use during small, localized, single-agency responses; preparedness campaigns; and escalating localized responses.
The advanced level course teaches participants additional skills for use during escalating incidents, including strategic communications and incident action planning as it relates to Joint Information Center (JIC) operations.

FBI-LEEDA Master Public Information Officer (MPO)
2026-07-20 00:00 - 2026-07-24 23:59 (America/New_York) | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Baton Rouge, LA, United States

NFPA 1030: Public Information Officer
2026-07-20 00:00 - 2026-07-24 23:59 (America/New_York) | TEEX-Brayton Fire Field, 1595 Nuclear Science Road, College Station, TX, 77843, United States
This course covers topics necessary to work as a Public Information Officer (PIO), such as:

ethics
legal issues
policies
the media
scene management
news conferences

As part of the course, you will present information on camera about a simulated incident, prepare written press releases, and learn how to prepare for news-media interviews.

PER-343 Social Media Engagement Strategies
2026-07-21 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York) | Fort Bend (TX) County Emergency Operations Center, 307 Fort St, Richmond, TX, 77469, United States
This eight-hour performance-level course is designed to provide participants with knowledge and skills using social media tools to engage individuals and volunteer organizations for assistance during an emergency. Participants will learn about social media engagement techniques, individual and organizational roles in crisis communication, and Virtual Operations Support Teams (VOST).

MGT-318 Public Information in an All-Hazards Incident
2026-07-21 00:00 - 2026-07-22 23:59 (America/New_York) | San Diego, CA, San Diego, CA, United States

MGT-467 Sport and Special Event Public Information and Emergency Notification
2026-07-21 00:00 - 2026-07-22 23:59 (America/New_York) | Fayetteville, Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
The Sport and Special Event Public Information and Emergency Notification course brings planners, operators, public information professionals, government, public safety, and marketing professionals together in an effort to prepare and/or enhance venue and event communication programs. The course prescribes best practices to common communication pitfalls and provides flexible and scalable solutions to a wide-range of scenarios. The training leverages a combination of exercises, discussions, and activities to optimize participant experience.
