ID
2-509-1037
Name
Incident Command System Public Information Officer (NQS)
Status
Published
Version
2.0
Updated
6/14/2021 11:05:21 AM
Original Release
10/01/2006
Last Major Release
06/14/2021
NQS Position
Resource Category
Incident Management
Primary Core Capability
Public Information and Warning
Secondary Core Capability
Operational Coordination
Resource Kind
Personnel
Overall Function
The Public Information Officer (PIO) disseminates community information to the public
Single resource
In conjunction with a NIMS typed team
NIMS Typed Team
Incident Management Team
In conjunction with a NIMS typed unit
NIMS Typed Unit
 
Description Notes
Not Specified
Supporting Core Capabilities
None
Types
Type Description
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: Conducts public information and external affairs activities in complex and protracted operations involving state, regional and Federal entities
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: 1. Interfaces with PIOs from other agencies and jurisdictions to ensure the release of accurate information to the public and media 2. Develops and implements a transition plan based on escalating incident complexity
Type 3The ICS PIO: 1. Serves in an ICS role 2. Interfaces with the public, media and other agencies; monitors public information to ensure accuracy 3. Engages in active communication and information sharing with elected and appointed officials 4. Collects, verifies, prepares, coordinates and disseminates community-related incident information to the public through the news media, radio, newspaper and social media stakeholders to provide information and updates based on changes in incident status 5. Uses information from other members of the Incident Management Team (IMT) and Command and General Staff to develop accurate, accessible and complete information on an incident’s cause, size, current situation, resources committed and other matters of general interest for internal and external audiences 6. Establishes a Joint Information Center (JIC) and a Joint Information System (JIS) as necessary 7. Supervises assistants, as necessary
Components
Component Notes  
EducationNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Not Specified
Type 2Not Specified
Type 3Not Specified
Training1. Identified equivalent trainings should meet or exceed course learning objectives. 2. The NIMS Training Program defines a national baseline to guide and promote NIMS training. It provides recommendations to assist the Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) in developing their own training plans, tailored to their specific needs. 3. ICS PIOs serving in an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) or JIC should refer to the NIMS Training Program for training.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: 1. E/L 0388: Advanced Public Information Officer, or equivalent
Type 3Completion of the following: 1. IS-29: Public Information Officer Awareness 2. IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100 3. IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 4. ICS-300: Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents 5. ICS-400: Advanced Incident Command System for Command and General Staff – Complex Incidents 6. IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction 7. IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction 8. E/G/L 0191: Emergency Operations Center/Incident Command System Interface 9. E/L 0952: National Incident Management System Incident Command System All-Hazards Public Information Officer, or equivalent 10. United States Fire Administration (USFA) O-0305: Type 3 All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) Introduction, or equivalent
ExperienceNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: 1. Successful completion of the National Qualification System (NQS) Position Task Book (PTB) for the NIMS Type 1 Incident Command System Public Information Officer, or equivalent AHJ documentation 2. Successful performance as a NIMS Type 2 ICS PIO
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: 1. Successful completion of the NQS PTB for the NIMS Type 2 Incident Command System Public Information Officer, or equivalent AHJ documentation 2. Successful performance as a NIMS Type 3 ICS PIO
Type 31. Successful completion of the NQS PTB for the NIMS Type 3 Incident Command System Public Information Officer, or equivalent AHJ documentation 2. Experience in incident management in a subordinate position
Physical/Medical FitnessThe NIMS Guideline for the NQS defines Physical/Medical Fitness levels for NQS positions.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Light
CurrencyA higher position is one for which this position is a prerequisite.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Functions in this position during a qualifying incident, planned event, exercise, drill or simulation at least once every three years
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Functions in this position or a higher position during a qualifying incident, planned event, exercise, drill or simulation at least once every three years
Professional and Technical Licenses and CertificationsNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Not Specified
Type 2Not Specified
Type 3Not Specified
Composition and Ordering Specifications
Specification
Discuss logistics for deploying this position, such as working conditions, length of deployment, security, lodging, transportation and meals, prior to deployment.
Requestor specifies any additional qualifications necessary, based on incident complexity and needs.
14231423
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 508: Incident Management Team
FEMA, National Qualification System (NQS) Position Task Book for Public Information Officer, latest edition adopted
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, NIMS Guideline for the NQS, November 2017
FEMA, NIMS Training Program, May 2020
FEMA, National Response Framework, October 2019
National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), Position Catalog, latest edition published
United States Fire Administration (USFA), O-0305: All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) Introduction, latest edition published
Published Versions
Version Publish Date Document Type
2.0 6/14/2021 11:05:21 AM PDF
1.5 11/7/2019 4:19:08 PM PDF
1.4 1/4/2019 4:28:16 PM PDF
1.3 9/28/2018 5:16:33 PM PDF
1.2 11/29/2017 1:59:35 PM PDF
1.1 4/8/2014 7:06:13 PM Unavailable
1.0 1/22/2014 4:11:48 PM Unavailable