PIO Calendar

AWR-209 Working with the Media: A Course for Rural First Responders
2026-08-25 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York) | Nazareth, PA, Nazareth, PA, United States
Adapted from FEMAÕs IG-290 curriculum, this 8-hour course provides rural first responders with skills needed to communicate with the public through the media. Examines roles of the media and the rural first responder/public information officer. Participants learn how to give print/electronic media interviews, write news releases, provide information at the scene, and how they fit into the joint information system.Ê

PER-344 Social Media Tools & Techniques
2026-08-25 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York) | Wiscasset, ME, Wiscasset, ME, United States
This performance-level web-based course is designed for individuals in the public and private sectors who are responsible for gathering and disseminating disaster-related information and who would like to increase their knowledge and understanding about social media and its uses during crisis communication to support organizational preparedness, response and recovery efforts.

L0105 Public Information Basics
2026-08-24 00:00 - 2026-08-26 23:59 (America/New_York) | North Little Rock, AR, North Little Rock, AR, United States
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.

NIOA 2026 Annual Training Conference
2026-08-23 00:00 - 2026-08-26 23:59 (America/New_York) | Sheraton Sand Key Resort, 1160 Gulf Blvd, Clearwater, FL, 33767, United States

L0105 Public Information Basics
2026-08-19 00:00 - 2026-08-21 23:59 (America/New_York) | Phoenix, AZ, Phoenix, AZ, United States

L0105 Public Information Basics
2026-08-19 00:00 - 2026-08-21 23:59 (America/New_York) | Charleston, WV, Charleston, WV, United States

PER-343 Social Media Engagement Strategies
2026-08-19 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York) | https://piocalendar.com/event/per-343-social-media-engagement-strategies-9/
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).

T-PUB4033: Texas Public Information Officer
2026-08-18 00:00 - 2026-08-20 23:59 (America/Chicago) | TX Region 10 Education Service Center, 400 E Spring Valley Rd, Richardson, TX, 75081, 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
2026-08-18 00:00 - 2026-08-20 23:59 (America/Chicago) | Travis County Sheriff’s Office, 5555 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX, 78751, United States

FEMA E/L0388 Advanced Public Information Officer
2026-08-17 00:00 - 2026-08-21 23:59 (America/New_York) | Burleigh County (ND) Emergency Management, 4200 Coleman Street, Bismarck, ND, 58503, 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 Media and Public Relations (MPR)
2026-08-17 00:00 - 2026-08-21 23:59 (America/New_York) | Sugar Land, Texas, Sugar Land, TX, 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)
2026-08-17 00:00 - 2026-08-21 23:59 (America/New_York) | Rutland, Vermont, Rutland, VT, United States

Leadership and Influence (G240-EM)
2026-08-17 00:00 - 2026-08-18 23:59 (America/New_York) | Forsyth, GA, Forsyth, GA, United States
Being able to lead others – to motivate them to commit their energies and expertise to achieving the shared mission and goals of the emergency management system – is a necessary and vital part of the job for every emergency manager, planner, and responder. This course is designed to improve your leadership and influence skills. It addresses: leadership from within, how to facilitate change, how to build and rebuild trust, using personal influence and political savvy and fostering an environment for leadership development.

NFPA 1030: Public Information Officer
2026-08-12 08:00 - 2026-08-14 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Muscle Shoals Regional Training Center, Russellville, AL, 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.

L0105 Public Information Basics
2026-08-12 00:00 - 2026-08-14 23:59 (America/New_York) | Largo, FL, Largo, FL, United States

L0105 Public Information Basics
2026-08-12 00:00 - 2026-08-14 23:59 (America/New_York) | South Carolina Emergency Management Division, 2779 Fish Hatchery Road, West Columbia, SC, 29172, United States

L0105 Public Information Basics
2026-08-12 00:00 - 2026-08-14 23:59 (America/New_York) | Raleigh, NC, Raleigh, NC, United States

Public Information Officer Workshop
2026-08-11 08:00 - 2026-08-12 17:00 (America/New_York) | San Joaquin (CA) County Sheriff’s Department, 7000 Michael Canlis Boulevard, French Camp, CA, 95231, United States
The role of the PIO has evolved significantly over the last few years, and so has the expectation from the public and media to get them transparent-timely information. This course will provide participants with the essential knowledge and practical tools to manage public information, whether it is a routine operation, positive PR story, or critical incident.
Through a blend of lectures, hands-on exercises, and real-world case studies, participants will learn how to develop and implement effective communication strategies, manage media relations, and engage with the public through various channels. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to navigate the complexities of public information in emergencies and build trust within their communities.

MGT-318 Public Information in an All-Hazards Incident
2026-08-11 00:00 - 2026-08-12 23:59 (America/New_York) | Altamonte Springs, FL, Altamonte Springs, FL, 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.

PER-344 Social Media Tools & Techniques
2026-08-11 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York) | Freehold, NJ, Freehold, NJ, United States

FBI-LEEDA Master Public Information Officer (MPO)
2026-08-10 00:00 - 2026-08-14 23:59 (America/New_York) | Cedar Falls, Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, 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.

FBI-LEEDA Master Public Information Officer (MPO)
2026-08-10 00:00 - 2026-08-14 23:59 (America/New_York) | Parker, Colorado, Parker, CO, United States

FEMA E/L0388 Advanced Public Information Officer
2026-08-10 00:00 - 2026-08-14 23:59 (America/New_York) | National Disaster & Emergency Management University, 16825 S. Seton Ave, Emmitsburg, MD, 21727, United States

FPRA 2026 PR & COMMS SUMMIT
2026-08-09 00:00 - 2026-08-12 23:59 (America/New_York) | Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, 1500 Masters Boulevard, ChampionsGate, FL, 33896, United States
Get inspired. Get ahead. Get to the PR & Comms Summit
Join us August 9–12, 2026, at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate for the premier gathering of public relations and communications professionals.
Designed to expand your perspective and strengthen your strategic edge, the Summit delivers forward-looking insights, real-world strategies and fresh perspectives from marketing and comms leaders across the industry. From AI search and earned media to
crisis communications and identifying metrics that matter, you’ll leave with ideas you can put into action right away.

MGT-318 Public Information in an All-Hazards Incident
2026-08-06 00:00 - 2026-08-07 23:59 (America/New_York) | San Marcos, TX, San Marcos, TX, United States

PER-344 Social Media Tools & Techniques
2026-08-05 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York) | Columbus, OH, Columbus, OH, United States

T-PUB4033: Texas Public Information Officer
2026-08-04 00:00 - 2026-08-06 23:59 (America/Chicago) | City of Del Rio (TX) Fire Station 4, 1051 W 10th Street, Del Rio, TX, 78840, United States

L0105 Public Information Basics
2026-08-04 00:00 - 2026-08-06 23:59 (America/New_York) | Cary, IL, Cary, IL, United States

T-PUB4033: Texas Public Information Officer
2026-08-04 00:00 - 2026-08-06 23:59 (America/Chicago) | Pitser-Garrison Convention Center, 601 N. Second Street, Lufkin, TX, 75901, United States

T-PUB4033: Texas Public Information Officer
2026-08-04 00:00 - 2026-08-06 23:59 (America/Chicago) | Bedford (TX) Law Enforcement Center, 2121 L. Don Dodson Drive, Bedford, TX, 76021, United States
