Instructor-led training offers live, facilitated learning opportunities for Public Information Officers and external affairs professionals. These programs are typically delivered in classroom, virtual-live, or hosted formats and focus on practical skills, real-world application, and peer engagement. Use this page to explore available instructor-led programs and link directly to upcoming offerings.
NOTE: This is NOT an all-inclusive list. Some course offerings may be available on the calendar while not being listed on this page.
L/K0105: Public Information Basics
Provider: FEMA & State Emergency Management Agencies
Format: In-Person (L) or Virtual (K) | Instructor-Led
Cost: Free
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.
Listed in the PIO Calendar:
In-Person (L):
52Virtual (K):
5E/L/K0388: Advanced Public Information Officer
Provider: FEMA National Disaster & Emergency Management University (NDEMU)
Format: In Residence (E), In-Person (L) or Virtual (K) | Instructor-Led
Cost: Free
The Public Information Officer advanced-level course offers PIOs a necessary toolset for use during escalating incidents, including strategic communications and incident action planning as it relates to Joint Information Center (JIC) operations.
Listed in the PIO Calendar:
9E/L0952: NIMS ICS All-Hazards Public Information Officer
Provider: FEMA National Disaster & Emergency Management University (NDEMU)
Format: In Residence (E) or In-Person (L) | Instructor-Led
Cost: Free
This course is designed for a Public Information Officer (PIO) assigned to an incident as a member of an All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) and local IMTs, as well as for the PIO assigned to an incident as an Assistant PIO in a variety of capacities.
This course will help participants develop a strong set of core PIO skills and the ability to apply them within the context of an AHIMT. This course is also distinct from other information function courses in that it combines elements from both the basic and advanced functions to concentrate training on the fundamental duties and responsibilities of the PIO in an all-hazards environment. The course material does not assume or require experience as a PIO, but also is not a basic PIO course.
Listed in the PIO Calendar:
3MGT-318: Public Information in an All-Hazards Incident
Provider: Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)
Format: In-Person | Instructor-Led
Cost: Free
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, community leaders, incident managers, and Public Information Officers (PIOs) must be prepared to communicate with the public through traditional and social media. The course consists of three modules.
Listed in the PIO Calendar:
30MGT-467: Sport and Special Event Public Information and Emergency Notification
Provider: Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) & University of Southern Mississippi (USM)
Format: In-Person | Instructor-Led
Cost: Free
Techniques used to deliver timely and accurate information in a complex information environment is challenging to any community or organization hosting a mass gathering. This interdisciplinary course brings planners, operators, communication, government, public safety, marketing, and public relations professionals together to prepare and/or enhance venue and event communication programs. The course prepares participants to identify and navigate the sport and special event communication landscape before, during, and after an incident.
Listed in the PIO Calendar:
3PER-343: Social Media Engagement Strategies
Provider: National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC)
Format: In-Person | Instructor-Led
Cost: Free
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.
Listed in the PIO Calendar:
10PER-344: Social Media Tools and Techniques
Provider: National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC)
Format: In-Person | Instructor-Led
Cost: Free
This eight-hour performance-level course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to use social media tools and techniques for intermediate-level messaging, strategy, and increased situational awareness. 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 participants with a more in-depth training in the use of strategy, tools, and messaging techniques for social media. It goes beyond the implementation of the most popular tools and strategies and helps social media managers expand their organization’s social media presence in various platforms to different audiences, in partnership with other agencies and organizations. This course will also give participants a better understanding of data mining and crowdsourcing techniques through practical activities and discuss potential uses for data visualization and mobile apps.
Participants will participate in group discussions and activities throughout the course that reinforce the use of social media tools for disaster management. In these activities, participants will apply their knowledge of the presented materials to build up to the final facilitator-led comprehensive activity.
Listed in the PIO Calendar:
6AWR 209: Working with The Media: A Course for Rural First Responders
Provider: Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC)
Format: In-Person | Instructor-Led
Cost: Free
AWR 209 is a DHS/FEMA-certified, 8-hour, tuition-free course designed to provide rural first responders with the skills and knowledge to quickly adopt the role of public information officer (PIO) if/when needed and to communicate with the public through the media. Many rural first responder organizations do not have a full or part-time PIO on staff.
Listed in the PIO Calendar:
5Executive Public Information Officer Program
Provider: FEMA National Disaster & Emergency Management University (NDEMU)
Format: In-Person | Instructor-Led
Cost: Free
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.