Tom HarbourDirector, Fire and Aviation Management

USDA Forest Service

Delegations of Authority

Should make clear that:

•The Forest Supervisor or other designated agency administrator is responsible for the content of fire communications.

•The team PIO is expected to coordinate continuously with the Forest or unit PAO.

•Everyone working on the incident is expected to fully comply with USDA Forest Service policies, protocols, and procedures regarding working with the news media; using social media; and developing key messages tiered to the NMAC 2010 Fire Season Themes and USDA Forest Service 2010 Fire Season key messages.

Available at http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/fire/fam/

USDA Forest Service “Unified Command of Information”

•PIOs, IMT members, and others working on an incident can provide information to all news media about the incident only.

•All news media questions that are not about the incident only are to be referred to the Forest Public Affairs Officer who will determine whether they can be addressed locally or whether they need to be referred to Jennifer Jones at NIFC.

•No Facebook pages or You Tube accounts are to be created for fires. You may use existing Twitter accounts as long as tweets alert followers that new information is posted on a website managed by those responsible for the content.

Communication is important on incidents of all sizes…

Meason Fire

Gila National Forest, New Mexico

Started by lightning June 6, 2009

Objectives:

• Protect private property in Black Canyon

• Protect threatened trout population

• Restore fire to natural role in ecosystem

Burned 7,055 acres over 80 days

…and all types.

Who are the media? What is a reporter?