Conclusions from a needs analysis: The PIO training gap in the National Preparedness Goal

Area of Science:

• Emergency management and disaster preparedness.
• Public administration and policy.
• Risk communication and information dissemination.

Background:

• The National Preparedness Goal (NPG) outlines U.S. emergency management objectives, supported by core capabilities like Public Information and Warning.
• Public Information Officers (PIOs) are essential for communicating critical information during crises to the "whole community."
• Existing PIO training needs strategic alignment with NPG requirements for effective crisis communication.

Approach:

• Content analysis of the NPG to identify any described training procedures for PIOs.
• Cross-tabulation (Crosstab) methodology to assess the alignment between PIO training course learning objectives (CLOs) and NPG responsibilities.
• Literature review of employee training to support the integration of NPG into PIO training.

Key Points:

• The NPG does not explicitly describe training recommendations or regimens for PIOs or emergency managers.
• A 53% coincidence was found between the NPG and current PIO training course learning objectives.
• Effective PIO training is vital for achieving NPG communication missions and enhancing community resilience.

Conclusions:

• There is a significant need for a unified and strategic approach to PIO training that integrates the NPG.
• Current PIO training partially supports NPG responsibilities, but a substantial gap remains.
• Aligning PIO training with the NPG is crucial for improving national emergency preparedness and community resilience.