Public Information Officer Episodes

Emergency alerts are supposed to reach everyone - but they don’t. In this episode, Tim Conrad speaks with Jen McEachen, a deafblind emergency management professional who has spent years identifying the gaps that leave millions of people behind during disasters. Jen shares what daily navigation looks like with deafblindness, why current public notification systems fail, and how simple changes can dramatically improve access.

This episode brings together nearly 150 years of combined volunteer firefighting experience as three Bridgewater Fire Department leaders, Honorary Chief Reid Whynot, Honorary Chief Wayne Thorburne, and Chief Michael Nauss, sit down to reflect on the department’s 150th anniversary and the evolution of service, technology, and community over a century and a half. Host Tim Conrad guides a conversation filled with history, humour, and hard‑earned wisdom from decades on the front lines...

Conspiracy, AI-created imagery, misinformation and false information now dominate disasters, overpowering truthful and honest information. It is mainstream on social media, podcasts and traditional media, and often repeated by broadcasters, hosts and celebrities.  Pete Jensen is on the front lines of the southern California wildfires, where, in the past, he has served in many roles, including public information officer. Much of what he shares applies no matter where you are. What we know about wildfires, how they move and how we fight them is international.

Author Doug Levy, of The Communications Golden Hour® Book, joins host Tim Conrad, APR, for the first of three episodes to discuss the roles of public information officers and crisis communications in emergencies and crises/issues. Listen For: 01:15 - From Practitioner to Author 11:27 - The Role, Skills and Practice of a Public Information Officer 20:30 - Communications is Two-way or It's Not Communications 28:04 - Evolving as a PIO

It was the year 2008. Newspapers, local and provincial/state broadcast TV news, and radio news dominated the media landscape. Misinformation wasn't a word that was used. These are the stories of the before times. When coordinating more news media was easier than responding, developing, coordinating, producing, and posting media on all channels.

Ever wonder what it takes to be the calm in the storm during an emergency?   Tim talks with Dorit Mason, an expert in emergency planning and operations. They look at the critical role of planners in emergency operations centres (EOCs), recalling their experiences managing wildfire evacuations in 2017. Mason shares insights on the characteristics of a great planner, the importance of personal preparedness, and how effective communication plays a vital role in crisis management.   They discuss the essential traits required for those working in EOCs and reflect on the camaraderie and humor that keep emergency teams going through the toughest times.

Is building an emergency program a matter of simply responding to crises, or does it require something more?   In the final episode of the two-part series, host Tim Conrad talks with Steph Masun about the vital role of community, communication, and adaptability in emergency management.   With years of experience in the Cariboo Regional District's emergency program, Steph shares insights into the creation and continuity of an effective emergency response, emphasizing the importance of building a legacy, nurturing relationships, and continuous improvement.   From floods to fires, to landslides, learn how communities and emergency professionals can work together to navigate the unpredictable landscape of crisis management.