Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Information topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Retired firefighter urges a city public information officer to improve communications during storms and emergencies
Summary
A retired firefighter told the council the citys emergency operations plan already designates a public information role and urged the city to implement a central public information officer (PIO) to coordinate timely messaging during storms and public-safety incidents.
A retired Barberton firefighter and tactical medic told council May 19 that poor city communications during the recent storm and other incidents show the need for a city-level public information officer.
“...the plan literally says there's a city public information officer, and it literally spells out its organization, assignment, and responsibilities,” the speaker said, referring to the city's emergency operations plan and its Annex D on public information. He urged the council and administration to implement the plans public-information structure so one official can collect, verify and distribute timely, coordinated messages during storms, fires and other emergencies.
The speaker (Dave Carr) said the PIO role would not only improve emergency messaging but also coordinate day-to-day communications so accurate information reaches residents instead of fragmented social-media posts. “Nixle is not used near enough,” he said, describing how residents currently get more timely alerts from neighboring governments or social channels.
Councilors agreed the city needs better communications but debated whether to embed the PIO in the charter or create the position by ordinance. Councilor Heideck and others recommended an ordinance so job details and compensation can be adapted as technology and needs change; Councilor Gerhardt said the emergency operation plan already places the PIO within the Department of Public Safety but that the city should ensure the role is funded and operationalized.
The committee suggested the administration draft a job description and an ordinance option so council can consider a sustainable, funded position (full- or part-time) rather than placing rigid job rules in the charter.
