Dates: January 15-19, Apr. 30 - May. 4, and August 27-31, 2007

Course Information: This is the modified version of EMI’s popular Advanced Public Information Officers course to meet the needs of a health-related emergency. It is targeted at public information officers (PIO’s) from State and local public health departments, hospitals, emergency medical services, emergency management agencies and other public health-related services.

The goal of this course is to prepare these PIO’s to make significant, positive contributions to their community’s response to health-related emergencies by providing credible information to the public.

The concept of this course is for the students to apply their knowledge and skills to an emergency situation. This is accomplished through instruction and a series of practical exercises. Course topics include: legal issues, risk communication, interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, communicating during an emergency, media relations, use of the Joint Information Center (JIC) and stress management.

There is no charge to the student for this training. In addition, FEMA will reimburse students for their travel expenses to the course.

Location: Noble Training Center (NTC) in Anniston, Alabama. Bus service is provided to NTC from the Atlanta Airport. Buses depart from Atlanta on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. eastern time. They return to Atlanta on Fridays at 7:00 a.m. central time.

Prerequisite: None

Course Length: Course starts Monday at 8:30 a.m. and ends Thursday at 5:00 p.m.

To Apply: Complete a FEMA Form 75-5, General Admissions Application with student signature and signature of supervisor or sponsoring agency official. Submit the application through the State emergency management training office who will fax it to the National Emergency Training Center Admissions Office at (301) 447-1658. For further information, please refer to the course web site at: http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/apply or contact Pete Vogel, course manager, at (301) 447-1101 or email at pete.vogel@dhs.gov.