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Advanced Applied Skills for Experienced PIOs

Advanced Applied Skills for Experienced PIOs

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.

The 0388: Advanced Public Information Officer course is open to participants who have a minimum of 2 years of public information experience to share practical knowledge and collaborate effectively within a classroom setting.

Over the duration of this 5 day course, participants will gain the knowledge and skills to establish, manage and operate within a Joint Information Center (JIC). This comprehensive program combines multimedia lectures with engaging individual and group activities, enabling participants to develop their skills effectively. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to apply advanced public information skills during a multi-day functional exercise (FE) designed to assess and challenge the participants’ abilities to analyze, coordinate, process and create information in a fast-paced, realistic environment.

Who Should Apply

The 0388 Advanced Public Information Officer course is designed for public information professionals with a minimum of 2 years of public information experience and have completed the listed pre-requisites​

Classroom Course Requirements

The Advanced PIO program consists solely of the 0388 classroom course, comprising 5 days* (40 hours) of collaborative learning. Attendance during each day of the course is mandatory.

Additional Course Requirements:

  • *Some pre-course work is required prior to the training course
  • Participants must bring a laptop with internet capabilities for daily course activities (tablets or cell phones can be used as a secondary device not a primary device)
  • Withdrawals or last-minute cancellations within 15 days of course start date will incur a one-year probation period for future APIO applications.

  • E0388: Advanced Public Information Officer

    • Classroom Delivery

      Resident (E), Local (L), Virtual (K)

    • Prerequisites

      10 required; 7 recommended

    • Course Description

      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.

    • Course Length

      5 days (40 hours)

    E0388 Course Details

Required Prerequisites

There are 10 required prerequisites listed below which satisfy the requirements to apply for the 0388 course. These prerequisites include the Basic & Awareness Level PIO courses.

Additionally, there are 7 highly recommended prerequisites that will greatly benefit participants of the 0388 course.

The following 9 independent study courses, plus 1 classroom course (E/L/K 0105), must be completed in their entirety prior to submitting an application to 0388: IS13, IS29, E/L/K 0105, IS42, IS100, IS200, IS201, IS247 or IS251, IS700, IS800 and IS2900

  • IS-29: Public Information Officer Awareness

    Independent Study (IS)

    Prerequisite for E0105

    Awareness PIO Details

  • E/L/K0105: Public Information Basics

    Classrom Delivery: Resident (E), Local (L), Virtual (K)

    Basic PIO Details

  • IS-42: Social Media in Emergency Management

    Any version

    IS-42 Details

  • IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System

    Any version

    IS-100 Details

  • IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response

    Any version

    IS-200 Details

  • IS-247: Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) for Alert Originators

    Any version

    IS-251 may be substituted

    IS-247 Details

  • IS-251: Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) for Alerting Administrators

    Any version

    IS-247 may be substituted

    IS-251 Details

  • IS-700: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System

    Any version

    IS-700 Details

  • IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction

    Any version

    IS-800 Details

  • IS-2900 National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) Overview

    Any version

    IS-2900 Details

  • E0300: ICS 300 - Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents

    Classrom Delivery: Resident (E), Local (L), Virtual (K)

    E0300 Details

  • IS-120: An Introduction to Exercises

    Any version

    IS-120 Details

  • IS-201: Forms Used for the Development of the Incident Action Plan

    Any version

    Waived if completed ICS300

    IS-201 Details

  • IS-242: Effective Communication

    Any version

    IS-242 Details

  • IS-650: Building Partnerships with Tribal Governments

    Any version

    IS-650 Details

  • IS-660: Introduction to Public-Private Partnerships

    Any version

    IS-660 Details

  • IS-909: Community Preparedness - Implementing Simple Activities for Everyone

    Any version

    IS-909 Details

0388 Course Schedule

The Advanced PIO classroom course is offered as Resident (E), Local (L), Virtual (K) deliveries. Each delivery type may have unique registration requirements depending on the host.

Please review the course schedule and registration for each delivery below.

Resident Deliveries (E0388)

To Register:

  1. Apply online at NETC Online Admissions

    • All NDEMU applications require an electronic approval from the head of your sponsoring organization. You will need the name, title, and email address of this person to submit the application.
    • Please use the email of your Supervisor as the Head of Organization for approval on the Online Application.

  2. You will be notified of the application status via the email address provided during application

July 29-August 2, 2024

Code:

E0388

Location:

National Disaster & Emergency Management University

Emmitsburg, MD

Contact Info:

Nicole Shutts, Program Manager

Nicole.shutts @fema.dhs.gov

To Register:

  1. Apply online at NETC Online Admissions

    • All NDEMU applications require an electronic approval from the head of your sponsoring organization. You will need the name, title, and email address of this person to submit the application.
    • Please use the email of your Supervisor as the Head of Organization for approval on the Online Application.

  2. You will be notified of the application status via the email address provided during application

January 13-17, 2025

Code:

E0388

Location:

National Disaster & Emergency Management University

Emmitsburg, MD

Contact Info:

Nicole Shutts, Program Manager

Nicole.shutts @fema.dhs.gov

To Register:

  1. Apply online at NETC Online Admissions

    • All NDEMU applications require an electronic approval from the head of your sponsoring organization. You will need the name, title, and email address of this person to submit the application.
    • Please use the email of your Supervisor as the Head of Organization for approval on the Online Application.

  2. You will be notified of the application status via the email address provided during application

April 14-18, 2025

Code:

E0388

Location:

National Disaster & Emergency Management University

Emmitsburg, MD

Contact Info:

Nicole Shutts, Program Manager

Nicole.shutts @fema.dhs.gov

Field Deliveries (L0388)

To Register:

  1. Register through the State's training system at: OH Registration Link

  2. Apply online with NDEMU to receive credit after registering with the State: NETC Online Admissions

    • All NDEMU applications require an electronic approval from the head of your sponsoring organization. You will need the name, title, and email address of this person to submit the application.
    • Please use the contact info listed for this delivery as the Head of Organization for approval on the Online Application.

  3. You will be notified of the application status via the email address provided during application

Nov 18–22, 2024

Code:

L0388

Location:

Ohio Emergency Management Agency

2855 West Dublin Granville Road

Columbus, OH 43235

Contact Info:

Lisa Jones, Training Contact

ljones@dps.ohio.gov

To Register:

  1. Register through the State's training system at: DC Registration Link

  2. Apply online with NDEMU to receive credit after registering with the State: NETC Online Admissions

    • All NDEMU applications require an electronic approval from the head of your sponsoring organization. You will need the name, title, and email address of this person to submit the application.
    • Please use the contact info listed for this delivery as the Head of Organization for approval on the Online Application.

  3. You will be notified of the application status via the email address provided during application

December 9-13, 2024

Code:

L0388

Location:

DC HSEMA Headquarters

1015 Half Street

Washington, DC 2003

Contact Info:

Patrick Maury, Training Contact

patrick.maury@dc.gov

To Register:

  1. Register through the State's training system at: AL Registration Link

  2. Apply online with NDEMU to receive credit after registering with the State: NETC Online Admissions

    • All NDEMU applications require an electronic approval from the head of your sponsoring organization. You will need the name, title, and email address of this person to submit the application.
    • Please use the contact info listed for this delivery as the Head of Organization for approval on the Online Application.

  3. You will be notified of the application status via the email address provided during application

February 3-7, 2025

Code:

L0388

Location:

Lee County Emergency Management Agency

908 Ave B

Opelika, AL 36801

Contact Info:

Rita Smith, Training Contact

rsmith@leeco.us

To Register:

  1. Register through the State's training system at: LA Registration Link

  2. Apply online with NDEMU to receive credit after registering with the State: NETC Online Admissions

    • All NDEMU applications require an electronic approval from the head of your sponsoring organization. You will need the name, title, and email address of this person to submit the application.
    • Please use the contact info listed for this delivery as the Head of Organization for approval on the Online Application.

  3. You will be notified of the application status via the email address provided during application

March 17-21, 2025

Code:

L0388

Location:

Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness

7667 Independence Blvd

Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Contact Info:

Kelly Feet, Training Contact

Kelly.feet2@la.gov

To Register:

  1. Register through the State's training system at: TX Registration Link

  2. Apply online with NDEMU to receive credit after registering with the State: NETC Online Admissions

    • All NDEMU applications require an electronic approval from the head of your sponsoring organization. You will need the name, title, and email address of this person to submit the application.
    • Please use the contact info listed for this delivery as the Head of Organization for approval on the Online Application.

  3. You will be notified of the application status via the email address provided during application

April 28 – May 2, 2025

Code:

L0388

Location:

Spring Fire Department Administration

656 E. Louetta Road

Spring, TX 77373

Contact Info:

Tracee Evans, Training Contact

Tracee.evans@springfd.org

To Register:

  1. Please reach out to the contact listed to register for this course.

June 2–6, 2025

Code:

L0388

Location:

Ponca Health Services – Lincoln

1600 Windhoek Drive

Lincoln, NE 68521

Contact Info:

Jessica Hitchcock, Training Contact

jhitchcock@poncatribe-ne.gov

To Register:

  1. Register through the State's training system at: MO Registration Link

  2. Apply online with NDEMU to receive credit after registering with the State: NETC Online Admissions

    • All NDEMU applications require an electronic approval from the head of your sponsoring organization. You will need the name, title, and email address of this person to submit the application.
    • Please use the contact info listed for this delivery as the Head of Organization for approval on the Online Application.

  3. You will be notified of the application status via the email address provided during application

July 14-18, 2025

Code:

L0388

Location:

Lincoln University

820 Chestnut Street

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Contact Info:

Robert Klick, Training Contact

Robert.klick@sema.dps.mo.gov

Virtual Deliveries (K0388)

None scheduled at this time

Further Information

For more information, please see the EMPP list of frequently asked questions

For further inquiries about the PIO Program, please see the EMPP points of contact list

training.fema.gov

An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security