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KeywordsFire InformationNational Wildland Firefighter DayNational Fire NewsNICCInternational SupportFor MediaFire PreventionHot TopicsWildfire PreventionWildfire Prevention VideosWildfire MitigationWildfire EducationWildfire InvestigationFor PAOsAdditional ResourcesPIO Bulletin BoardAgency InformationHot TopicsIncident Resources for PIOsInciWeb InformationPIO ContactsSocial Media for PIOsTraining and Qualifications for PIOsWorking with Media and PublicProducer’s Guide to FilmingMilitary Support HistoryInciWebMapsNews ReleasesMilitary aircraft equipped with MAFFS mobilized to assist with wildfire suppressionUS firefighters continue to support Canada during record-breaking wildfiresNIFC celebrates second annual National Wildland Firefighter DayU.S. supports Canada with aviation resourcesU.S. fire resources continue to support CanadaU.S. resources support Canadian wildfiresSituation ReportNICC ReportsArchivesStatisticsSuppression CostsHuman-caused wildfiresLightning-caused wildfiresUAS IncursionsWildfires and acresOur ResourcesFirefightersCrewsOverheadSmokejumpersIncident Management TeamsAircraftAirtankersHelicoptersTactical AircraftSmokejumper AircraftEquipmentDozersEnginesWater TendersCaterersShowersNational Interagency Incident Communications DivisionHotsheet NewsNIICD ContactsNIICD DocumentsAvionicsCommunication Duty OfficerEngineering and DevelopmentP25 Digital RadiosInfrared BranchPhoenix Capabilities and ProductsMaintenanceCommunications OperationsRework and SupplyTechnical TrainingSuppliesGreat Basin CacheAccountabilityCache DemobilizationCache VansContactsEmergency HiringFormsOrderingReturnsMobilizationNICCNational Mobilization GuideTaking Care of Our OwnEmployee Assistance ProgramCritical Incident Stress ManagementManager’s ToolkitPeer Support RecruitmentRequest SupportSuicide PreventionStandardsRed BookBIA Preparedness ReviewsBLM Preparedness ReviewsFWS Preparedness ReviewsNPS Preparedness ReviewsUSFS Preparedness ReviewsProgramsCasual Payment CenterPublicationsProceduresCPC FormsAD Pay PlansAgency MemosHiring DocumentsCPC LinksDo What's Right TrainingAll SectionsPOSH ModuleCourse MaterialsHow to Report Harassment and PoliciesDownloadsEqual Employment OpportunityInformation TechnologyInteragency Fire Program ManagementIFPM StandardHuman ResourcesFire ManagementAgency SpecificBIABLMFSFWSNPSArchivesContactsJoint Fire Science ProgramMedical StandardsNational Incident Management OrganizationNational Wildfire Coordinating GroupNICCPost Fire RecoveryRAWSSafetySmoke ManagementTrainingVeteransCareersHuman ResourcesHuman Resources ContactsBenefitseOPFEmployee RelationsEthicsFormsPermanent EmployeesTemporary EmployeesTransfer Employees (within BLM)Transfer Employees (within DOI)Transfer Employees (outside DOI)Jobs and Human ResourcesTeleworkOWCPPerformance ManagementRating ManagementRetirementSecurityManager’s CornerDOI Wildland Fire JobsUSAJOBSBLM Fire Jobs PortalWorking in Wildland Fire with NPSUSDA Forest Service Job OpportunitiesAbout UsWhat is NIFC?Great Basin CacheGreat Basin SmokejumpersNICCRadio CacheRAWSReturns WarehouseWildland Firefighters MonumentNIFC CampusCampus TourHow Do I?Our PartnersBIABLMRecruitment ToolkitPodcastsBLM Aviation ProgramAdministrationAerial SupervisionAirspaceHelicoptersLibrarySafetySEATsSecuritySmokejumper AircraftTrainingUASBLM Aviation Support PositionsBLM CrewsBonneville HotshotsChena HotshotsCraig HotshotsDiamond Mountain HotshotsJackson HotshotsKern Valley HotshotsLakeview HotshotsMidnight Sun HotshotsRuby Mountain HotshotsSnake River HotshotsVale HotshotsBillings Veterans CrewDevil's Canyon Veterans CrewFolsom Lake Veterans CrewMedford Crew 10Spokane Veterans CrewVegas Valley Veterans CrewBLM Engine CrewsBLM Fire ManagementBLM Fire Prevention and EducationBLM Fire SupportBLM Fire TrainingATV Drip TorchFire Vehicle TrainingFitness ChallengeHigh Reliability Organizing (HRO)Improving Radio DisciplineLeadership Self-Development and IDPsBLM DispatchersBLM Fire InvestigationBLM Fuels CrewsBLM Fuels Management ProgramBLM Fuels TreatmentsCommunity AssistanceBLM Helitack CrewsBLM Alaska SmokejumpersGreat Basin SmokejumpersInformationOperationsTrainingRecruitmentHistoryOperational Medical Support ProgramNPSNWSFWSUSFSUSFANASFDODNIFC HistoryWorking with  UsWildland Fire JobsPublic ParticipationSubmit New Innovative IdeasVolunteerContractingDonationsNIFC Help DeskTelephonesWirelessIQCS Help DeskHelp Desk LinksSocial MediaMedia SubmissionNational Wildland Firefighter DayNational Fire NewsNICCInternational SupportFor MediaFire PreventionPIO Bulletin BoardInciWebMapsNews ReleasesSituation ReportStatistics Home
                        Fire Information
                        PIO Bulletin Board
  Working with Media and Public
NIFC News Releases
Media engagement
Interview Guidelines
Ensure that the appropriate Public Information Officer or the local Public Affairs office is aware of media visits.
Be prepared. Know the facts. Develop a few key messages and deliver them. Prepare responses to potential tough questions. If possible, talk to reporter beforehand to get an idea of subjects, direction, and slant of the interview.
Be concise. Give simple answers (10-20 seconds), and when you’re done, be quiet. If you botch the answer, simply ask to start again.
Be honest, personable, professional, presentable (remove sunglasses and hats).
Look at the reporter, not the camera.
Ensure media are escorted and wearing PPE when going to the fireline or hazardous sites.
NEVER talk “off the record,” exaggerate, or try to be cute or funny.
DON’T guess or speculate or say “no comment.”
Either explain why you can’t answer the question or offer to track down the answer.
DON’T disagree with the reporter. Instead, tactfully and immediately clarify and correct the information.
DON’T speak for other agencies or offices.
DON’T use jargon or acronyms.More Resources:
California Penal Code 409
Community Notice
Media Advisory (Sample)
Media Access Laws
Media Access to Forest Service Aircraft
PIO 209 Daily Activity Report
PIO Transition Form
Preparing News Articles
Road and Burn Out Advisory
Safety and Risk Management, Red Book, Chapter 7
Training and Qualifications for PIOsDocumentary and Series Producers Guide
The Documentary and Series Producers Guideis intended to provide basic information on the policies and processes followed by NIFC in considering proposals to use federal firefighting crews, incident management teams, and wildland fire equipment in a documentary film or television series production. The principles in this guide can be modified to better serve your specific needs.
Public outreach
Drones and Wildfires Talking Points
Getting a Job as a Seasonal Firefighter
NIFC - A Place, A Mission: Brochure or Text
NWCG Communication Planning
Preparing for Wildland Fire brochure text or PDF brochure
Prescribed Burns May Help Reduce U.S. Carbon Footprint
Producer's Guide for TV and Film
Tune in to Radio Discipline text or PDF
When Tragedy Strikes Your Unit How Do You Prepare?Prevention, Education and Mitigation links
Fire Adapted Communities
FireWise (NFPA)
NWCG Communicator's Guidefor Wildland Fire Management, Fire Education, Prevention, Mitigation
Ready, Set, Go!
Creating Defensible Space
Defensible Space Brochure
Defensible Space MessagesFact Sheets
Preparedness Level Spreadsheet
Preparedness Level Background and TPs
Preparedness Level Infographic
Hotshots, Fire Shelters, and Thunderstorms General Talking Points
Prescribed Fire Summary
What is NIMO?
StatisticsPSAs
Download PSAs Harrison Ford Did for Teton Interagency Fire in Wyoming
PSA 1 – Cows
PSA 2 – Dead Out Campfire
PSA 3 – Defensible Space
PSA 4 – Wyoming is Dry
PSA 5 – Fires in Wyoming
PSA 6 – Residents
PSA 7 – Restrictions
PSA 8 – The WestZip Files:
Zip file of Public Service Announcements 2002
Zip file of Public Service Announcements 2003Tool kits
Critical Incident communication Resources
Critical Incident Communications Guides
Agency Administrator's Guide to Critical Incident Management
When Tragedy Strikes Your Unit (and It Will) How Do You Prepare?
Serious Accident Communication
Incident Within an Incident Communication Plan
Rockford Gray Crisis Communications White Paper
Crisis Leadership and Crisis Communication
A Resource Guide for Handling Firefighter Line-of-Duty Deaths
Caring for Our Own, A Serious Accident and Fatality Support Guide
Critical Incident News Releases Example
Critical Incident Agency Leader Statements ExampleCritical Incident Documents
Agency Administrator's Guide to Critical Incident Management
Critical Event Notification Process
Incident Emergency Plan -Sample List
Incident within an Incident Emergency PlanEmergency Support Function (ESF) #4: Firefighting Introduction
Overview and information for respondersFrequently Asked Questions
A Simple Overview of Guidance for Implementation of Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy Season_Messages
Communicating Fire
Does Wildfire Kill Wildlife?
Speaking About Fire Policy
Terminology
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