The 2 News Nevada crew participated in a media panel for a Public Information Officer Training class at TMCC Wednesday.
The goal was to go over how we can work together to get information out to viewers in case of a fire or breaking news. Each student showed a passion for serving their communities.
These classes are effective in teaching the students how to communicate effectively during an emergency.
"Our job here in the public information office is to make sure we get the media involved, newspapers involved, social media involved so everybody finds out when action is occurring within our agencies and in our departments," said Rich Martinez, the Fire Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest.
PIO's are especially important when there is a need to inform the public of evacuations or communicating with the public as quick as possible.
"This class allows people to have the ability to have that base knowledge to be able to put that information out in a timely and efficient manner," said John Schuler, the Engine Captain for the Reno Fire Department (RFD) and PIO for wildland fires.
This course is often taken by those who are already heavily involved in fire protection, and would like to further their education.
Schuler told us his story: "I remember taking my first PIO class 10 years ago now and it really gave a baseline knowledge, and a feel for what needs to be done and getting information out, how to get it out and the different avenue to be able to do that."
Katie Walker, a Fire Inspector and Investigator with RFD and student said, "I joined the fire service because I really what to help the community. And as a PIO it's just another avenue that I can use to help our community."
Walker's always been interested in public service. She started as a seasonal wild land firefighter for five years, then transitioned to the Reno Fire Department while also getting her bachelors degree in emergency management.
Once she got on with Reno Fire Prevention, she went to the police academy and now she's a fire investigator and aspiring PIO.
"It's all about getting the message out working as a team so that the police can be safe and have the information," Walker said.
Schuler said, "Safety's paramount, obviously in any emergency scene, we want people to know when they have the ability to evacuate where they need to go and how to safely do that."
