You can have the most talented, experienced, and highly trained Public Information Officer in the profession. But what happens when the organization itself isn’t prepared to communicate?

During high-stakes incidents, effective communication depends on far more than the capabilities of the person delivering the message. Unclear authority, limited access to verified information, inadequate inter-agency coordination, and organizational bottlenecks can undermine even the most capable PIO.

This 50-minute webinar challenges participants to look beyond individual communication skills and examines the organizational systems that make timely, accurate, and coordinated crisis communication possible.

Drawing on real-world public safety experience, the presentation explores five essential capabilities of organizational communication readiness: authority, information access, coordination, capacity, and public trust.

Designed for PIOs at every experience level, from solo practitioners to seasoned communications leaders, this session combines practical examples, audience interaction, and a readiness self-assessment to help participants identify vulnerabilities within their own organizations.

Attendees will leave with a Communication Readiness Scorecard and actionable strategies to strengthen their organization’s ability to communicate before the next crisis occurs.

The central question: We spend considerable time preparing PIOs to communicate during crises. Are we investing the same effort in preparing our organizations to support them?

Presenter: Stephen Combs, MS, CPC-PIO, Public Information Officer, Bluffton Township Fire District (SC)