Public Information Officer Training
The newly revised
CAPR 190-1 requires a trained and
certified MIO, in accordance with
CAPR 60-3, to handle media relations
for every mission and training exercise. The MIO is to provide and
receive critical information, advise the incident commander, protect the
image of the Civil Air Patrol and provide timely information to the
public affairs staff of each higher headquarters.
There is
a critical need to always follow this regulation, especially when
performing Air Force assigned missions (AFAMs), to ensure that media
inquiries are handled properly and interviews are conducted in a
professional manner. CAP MIOs are trained and certified to carry out
such duties, and only they are authorized to do so.
With
this in mind, please ensure that when an AFAM is conducted, all members
in your region and wing follow procedures as outlined in CAPR 190-1.
Also, please remind all your members that all contact with the news
media regarding specific missions and other incidents (especially when
possible fatalities are involved) "must be made by a corporate officer,
Incident Commander, or PAO/MIO ONLY."
Brig.
Gen. Amy S. Courter, Interim CAP National Commander
PAO/PIO
Training
As announced
above by the Interim National Commander, Brig Gen Amy S. Courter,
"The newly revised CAPR 190-1 requires a trained and certified MIO, in
accordance with CAPR 60-3, to handle media relations for every mission
and training exercise."
This impacts deeply into the life of every unit. There
used to be a time when anyone could take on the job of the Public
Affairs Officer, with little or no formal training, provided the
commander certified that person for the job. This worked reasonably well
in a small unit at a time when communications were slow and only the
most noteworthy events were reported beyond the immediate community.
Today, what happens in your own back yard can quickly become known
across the globe. In a case like this, the non-IO qualified PAO dealing
with media relations may well suffer a very rude awakening.
That awakening, unfortunately, can have repercussions all
the way up the chain of command. Therefore, it is imperative that PAOs
take their formal training seriously. In short, every PAO needs to get
qualified as an Information Officer (or Mission Information Officer).
Gen Courter specifically singles out "every mission and training
exercise" as requiring an MIO. Think of it. What else do we do that
doesn't involve "missions and training exercises"?
Bottom line, a PAO that is not an IO/MIO is not up to the
job. The trouble is that there might not be an IO around, and the PAO
might have to "wing it." The lucky PAO might manage to survive the
experience, but not knowing what's involved and how to do it can produce
highly negative results.
Please read the item above this one, and notice that PAO/IO
training will be offered this summer. I encourage every PAO in Texas
Wing to take advantage of this opportunity. In one information-packed
week, you can get the training that you need. If you're serious about
being a PAO, and you are not IO/MIO qualified, you need to be here.
Incidentally, these courses apply towards the Military Emergency
Management School (MEMS) certification offered by the State Guard
Association of the US. They will certify CAP Members as well as State
Guard members. More details are found at:
http://www.sgaus.org/MEMS.html
Note: As of this writing, NHQ is preparing a broad revision
of the specialty. Since CAP has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
with FEMA, the Information Officer (IO) ES Specialty has become a Public
Information Officer (PIO). It is expected that the former (bare minimum)
IO qualifications will be replaced with training requirements comparable
to those of a FEMA PIO. These courses will include material from FEMA
and other sources that will qualify advanced students as PIOs, and basic
students will be able to work as PIO trainees.
Lt Col Brooks Cima, DOS
