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In this Special Edition, Sarah Lux discusses the importance of go bags for public information officers (PIOs) and shares her personal experiences and insights on what to include. She emphasizes the need for emergency preparedness and provides practical tips on essential items, balancing technology with traditional tools, and unique, surprisingly valuable items. The conversation also covers power management solutions and personal well-being items for those working during crises. In this conversation, Sarah Lux shares her insights on the essential items for a go bag, the importance of regularly evaluating its contents, and how to customize it for different crises. She emphasizes the need for preparedness in reputational crises and advises new public information officers (PIOs) on building their first go bag. The discussion also touches on the support agencies should provide to PIOs regarding go bags and concludes with key takeaways on the necessity of having a go bag for every PIO.

Sarah's BIO: Sarah Lux earned a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Central Florida and a master’s degree in Public Relations from Full Sail University.  Sarah has practiced Public Relations for over 10 years, specifically focusing on community education, government affairs, and crisis communications. She is part of the Florida Association of Public Information Officers’ deployment team and a PIO for Florida’s Region 5 All-Hazards Incident Management Team. She has been deployed by the state of Florida to aid communications in other counties four times, including Fort Myers Beach after Hurricane Ian. She earned her Master PIO certification in 2024, a federal training program that has accepted and certified less than 175 PIOs in the nation. Lux prides herself on her ability to clearly explain complex governmental matters to citizens in her community. She currently serves as Public Information Manager for the City of Orlando and owns her own communications consulting firm, Lux Communications.

SARAH's Go Bag List

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Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, host Robert Tornabene interviews Carolina Montelongo, the Public Relations Coordinator for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Carolina shares her journey from journalism to becoming a Public Information Officer (PIO), emphasizing the importance of community engagement, especially within the Hispanic community. She discusses the structure of the Sheriff's Office, the role of PIOs, and the strategies used for crisis communication. Carolina also highlights her initiative, CACO News, to provide reliable information to the Latino community. The conversation concludes with her recognition as the Hispanic Civilian Employee of the Year and her insights on effective communication and community connection.

Carolina's BIO: Carolina Montelongo was born in Caracas, Venezuela. She graduated from Metropolitana University, Caracas, with a BA in Modern Languages in 2017. Pursuing her passion for storytelling, she relocated to Miami, Florida, to earn her Master's in Multimedia Journalism.

Carolina worked as a Radio Host for Radio Caracol and then at the U.S. Agency for Global Media for four years. There, she contributed to providing a free press to Cubans facing oppression under the Castro Dictatorship. Carolina's dedication to journalism led her to obtain a talent visa, allowing her to pursue her dreams of working and continuing to live in the United States.

Carolina saw that misinformation was a big issue in the Latino community. So, she created @Caconews as a space where people can get reliable information. Through that platform, she takes on the role of a truth-seeker, deciphering complex news and laws and ensuring that the content she creates clarifies and positively contributes to the Latino community.

In June 2023, Carolina started a new professional adventure as a Public Relations Coordinator at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. She's committed to bringing the Hispanic community and law enforcement closer by creating helpful content and sharing educational information with the Latino community.

Outside of her professional life, Carolina has dedicated part of her life to dancing flamenco and playing volleyball. She also enjoys traveling with her husband and practicing CrossFit.

Carolina's Email

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Author, life coach, entrepreneur, founder of Tornabene Wine, Miss New York 2022. 

Baxter Learns to Save (Amazon)

https://tornabenewines.com

Welcome to the Fresh Patch Podcast where we talk about everything, from dog...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts  

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Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, host Robert Tornabene interviews Dawn Small, the strategic communications manager for Aurora Fire Rescue. Dawn shares her journey from public relations agencies to the fire service, highlighting her experiences and the changes she aims to implement in communications. The conversation delves into the importance of community engagement, the role of social media, and the daily responsibilities of a PIO in a busy fire department. Dawn emphasizes the need for strategic planning and collaboration with media to communicate safety messages and improve public education effectively. In this conversation, Robert Tornabene and Dawn Small discuss the importance of strategic communication planning, particularly in the context of public safety and fire departments. They explore how engaging with firefighters can enhance communication effectiveness, the role of AI in streamlining communication efforts, and the significance of having a cohesive plan that aligns with leadership. The discussion also touches on personal insights and rapid-fire questions that reveal more about Dawn's perspectives and experiences.

Dawn's BIO: With nearly three decades of broad-based communications expertise spanning the public and private sectors, Dawn Small serves as strategic communications manager for Aurora Fire Rescue, an all-hazards fire department with 17 fire stations and nearly 500 firefighters/paramedics serving the city of Aurora, Colo.

Dawn leads the Public Information Office for AFR, overseeing internal and external communications, emergency communications, media relations, and community engagement for the department.

 During the first decade of her career, Dawn cut her teeth in communications at international public relations firms such as Fleishman-Hillard and Weber Shandwick Worldwide. She managed and implemented public relations programs for various public and corporate affairs clients. While working with public-sector agencies such as the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Office of International Trade, and Los Angeles World Airports, she became exposed to the sense of fulfillment that comes with strengthening the community and impacting individual lives through public education, community relations, and effective communications outreach.

After spending the next decade of her career in global external communications, internal communications, and content marketing leadership roles for Arrow Electronics Inc., a Fortune 150 technology firm, and full-stack technology solutions provider Flexential, she felt the call to shift back to the public sector. She led communications and marketing for the Colorado Retirement Association, a quasi-governmental organization providing retirement plans for Colorado city and county employees, followed by two years as a communications strategist for the City of Centennial, Colo., before joining AFR.

 Dawn holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of South Dakota and Advanced Public Information Officer certification from the Federal Emergency Management Association.

Dawn Smalls LinkedIn

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Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Robert Tornabene interviews Rick Rice, the public information officer for the Asheville Police Department. They discuss Rick's background in radio, the challenges they faced during Hurricane Helene, and the launch of the APD Pod Squad podcast aimed at improving community engagement. Rick shares insights on managing misinformation during the crisis and the importance of clear communication. The conversation also touches on using AI in public information strategies and reflections on the podcast's impact on the community.

Rick's BIO: Rick Rice spent over thirty years in radio, with over twenty years
on the air in Asheville, beginning in 1999. Rice has also been a fixture at local
sporting events as the public address announcer at McCormick Field for the
Asheville Tourists from 2000-2016 and for the Asheville Smoke hockey team until
they folded in 2002. Rice has also been the public address announcer for UNC
Asheville Men’s and Women’s Basketball and the Voice of the Southern
Conference Basketball Tournament for over a decade.

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Summary: In this conversation, Doug Levy discusses his extensive background in journalism and emergency communications, leading to the writing of his book, 'The Golden Hour.' He emphasizes the critical importance of timely and accurate communication during crises, outlining common mistakes made by Public Information Officers (PIOs) and the evolving role of social media in disseminating information. Levy shares insights on effectively balancing rapid responses with the need for accuracy and understanding community dynamics in communication strategies. Doug Levy shares insights on effective crisis communication strategies in this conversation, emphasizing the importance of quick and credible information dissemination during emergencies. He discusses the necessity of preparation for unexpected crises, the value of building relationships with the media, and the critical role of practice in ensuring effective communication. Levy highlights real-world examples, including the Boston Marathon bombing, to illustrate the importance of having a solid plan and adaptability. He concludes with key takeaways for Public Information Officers (PIOs) to enhance their effectiveness in crises.

Doug's BIO: Doug Levy is a communications strategist, media and presentation coach and freelance writer. He was a reporter for USA Today and other national media for 20 years, covering front-page stories such as crimes, wildfires and other disasters, medical and scientific research, policy debates, and scientific or other misconduct. His first experience as a PIO was leading a volunteer fire department in Maryland in the 1990s. Since then, he led communications at two major universities and served on the emergency management teams. He has helped police and other government officials, medical center leaders, scientists, and universities prepare for, navigate, and respond to crises and adapt in the era of nonstop social media communication, partisan news outlets, and divided communities. His book, The Communications Golden Hour: The Essential Guide to Public Information When Every Minute Counts, has been an acclaimed handbook for public information officers since it was first released in 2018. Find out more at douglevy.com.

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Summary of the Podcast: in this episode, Ashley Bradshaw, the Public Information and Engagement Specialist for the Kyle Police Department, shares her journey into law enforcement communication. She discusses the challenges and opportunities of being the first PIO in her department, the importance of community engagement, and innovative strategies for connecting with youth. Ashley emphasizes social media's role in recruitment and AI's use to enhance public relations efforts. The conversation highlights the significance of building relationships between law enforcement and the community and the ongoing need for effective communication strategies.

Ashley's BIO : Ashlee Bradshaw became a Public Information Officer in a rather unconventional way. With over a decade worth of experience in Public Relations and Marketing, along with a term served as an elected City Councilmember, Ashlee found a passion for connecting government agencies with the communities they serve. In her role as the Public Information and Community Engagement Specialist at the Kyle Police Department, her passion has only grown stronger. She enjoys using strategic and proactive communications to highlight the good work done by the officers to foster a strong relationship with the residents.

Ashlee's LinkedIn

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Episode Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, PR expert Molly McPherson shares her insights on navigating media crises, the importance of social media in crisis management, and the common pitfalls faced by public information officers (PIOs). She emphasizes the need for transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement in communications and discusses how to transform crises into opportunities for building trust. Molly also reflects on her experiences at FEMA and the lessons learned from various case studies in crisis management.

Molly's Bio: In Molly McPherson's world, just about anything is a tell. That's how The Boston Globe described Molly's work as a crisis communications expert who moonlights as a celebrity PR whisperer on TikTok.

As an APR-certified crisis management and public relations practitioner, Molly uses her deep understanding of media culture to benefit her clients and the over half a million social media followers who look to her for insight into brand and celebrity actions, whether genuine or part of a PR stunt.
She is the host of "The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson" podcast and author of "Indestructible: Reclaim Control and Respond with Confidence in a Media Crisis."

In her career, she's known as an innovator in crisis communication, from introducing digital media strategies at FEMA to developing some of the first crisis communication web resources as communications director for cruise lines during critical incidents like the 9/11 attacks and the 2002 Norovirus outbreaks.

Her insights have garnered international attention, making her a recurring commentator for respected outlets such as NBC News, GMA, The Today Show, CNN, NPR, Access Hollywood, CTV News, and The Today Show in Australia. She has also been a featured commentator on ABC's Impact x Nightline, Vice TV's NINE LIVES OF...and TMZ Investigates on Fox Television. 

Additionally, Molly has provided commentary for outlets such as the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the BBC, and the Wall Street Journal.

Beyond her media presence, Molly is a celebrated keynote speaker, an Adweek Creative Visionary Award winner, and a Forbes.com contributor writing about leadership and crisis management. She has taught companies, leaders, and brands, as well as hundreds of thousands of online followers, how to navigate a PR crisis in the tricky digital media era.

Molly's Website: https://www.mollymcpherson.com/

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Summary: In this episode, Jeff Wenninger, a retired LAPD officer and CEO of Law Enforcement Consultants, discusses his unique background and the challenges facing law enforcement today. He emphasizes the need for cultural change within police departments, the importance of proper training and competence, and the role of public information officers in crisis management. Winninger advocates for transparency, accountability, and community engagement, while also highlighting the impact of technology on communication. He concludes with thoughts on leadership and the necessity for law enforcement to evolve with societal expectations.

Jeff's Bio - Jeff Wenninger is a nationally recognized law enforcement expert with over 33 years of experience, primarily with the LAPD. As the Founder & CEO of Law Enforcement Consultants, LLC, he specializes in police use of force incidents, crowd management, school safety, and developing police management best practices. His work aims to align police methods with societal expectations, improve public trust, and enhance police training. A court-recognized use of force expert, Jeff has testified in criminal and civil cases and administrative hearings. His distinguished career includes extensive experience with dignitary protection, elite LAPD units, and overseeing high-profile security details.

Jeff's contributions have earned him prestigious awards such as the LAPD Medal of Valor, Police Star, and Meritorious Unit Citation. He excelled athletically and academically, overcoming dyslexia and a speech impediment to earn degrees in sociology, psychology, and criminal justice. His commitment to community service extends beyond his professional life, involving numerous charitable projects and school safety programs. A regular contributor to NPR and law enforcement print media, Jeff resides in Ohio with his son. He is working on a book proposing actionable solutions for improving law enforcement practices.

Jeff's LinkedIn

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Episode Summary: In this episode of the PIO Podcast, host Robert Tornabene interviews Holly Stark, Outreach Program Manager with the Washington State Emergency Management Division. Holly shares her journey from journalism to emergency management, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in building trust and empathy within communities. She discusses how effective communication can enhance disaster preparedness and the role of public information officers in conveying critical information. Holly also highlights the need for consistency in messaging to foster public trust and engagement.

Hollie's Bio - Hollie Stark is a writer, outdoor enthusiast, and mother. She is passionate about emergency public information, preparedness, geohazards, and telling stories to help move the needle.

Email - [email protected]

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