Source for standard press releases???

[kjohn23]

Is there a source for standard press releases? Common items for disasters or magor events? Reminders to the public (i.e. candle safety, carbon monixide from running generators, chain saw safety)
Am I looking for public safety announcememnts?

[EdGlaze]

The topics you mention seem more like PSAs rather than press releases.

From another discussion came these good links:

Grebe Press — PR Tips
http://www.gebbieinc.com/howto.htm

On my department forum I have lots of resouces and information:

PIO — Making the most of the media
http://forums.delphiforums.com/PMFD/messages/?msg=599.1

[LaFireEducator]

Go the the US Fire Administration website. They have a bunch of press releases available on a variety of topics.

It's really not tough to write your own if you remember some basics
such as the grabber, or why the information is important to your audience first. Then follow with the most critical point you want to makeFollow that with the less critical info in a descending order, so if the reader decides not to finish the release, or the paper needs to cut for space, they cut the less critical info. then finish with a summary of the most critical info, as the reader tends to remember what they read first as the last the most.
If you are looking for info, use the USFA brochures .. they are not copyrighted but instead are public domain and the text can be used in whole or part by anyone.

Keep the press release to less than 4 paragraphs.... 3-5 sentences per paragraph. Anything longer may not be run by a paper as a press release, but will be considered an article. While articles are sometimes needed by a paper, often they will want thier own writer to do it and will require some pre-arranging as space in the paper is limited.

If you would like any more info feel free to e-mail me at the addy posted on my profile.

[dragonfyre]

Make sure your department is on the mailing list for both the "Change Your Clock Change Your Battery" program and the NFPA Fire Prevention program.

They will send you kits every year with pre-printed fill in the blank releases along with a series of PSA's.

[EdGlaze]

http://forums.delphiforums.com/PMFD/...es/?msg=599.38

Talking About Disasters: Guide for Standard Message

http://www.fema.gov/rrr/talkdiz/

The content of this guide is in the public domain.

Produced by the National Disaster Education Coalition, Washington, D.C., 1999.

Table of Contents

Family Disaster Plan
Disaster Supplies Kit
Chemical Emergency
Earthquake
Fire
Flood and Flash Flood
Heat (Heat Wave)
Hurricane
Landslide and Debris Flow (Mudslide)
Severe Thunderstorm
Tornado
Tsunami
Volcano
Wildfire
Winter Storm
Bibliography
Resources
Introduction and Purpose

This guide has been developed to assist anyone providing disaster safety information to the public. The information is based on historical data for the United States and is appropriate for use in the United States. Some information may not be applicable in other countries. Users of this guide may include emergency managers, meteorologists, teachers, disaster and fire educators, public affairs/public relations personnel, mitigation specialists, media personnel, and/or any other person in the severe-weather, earthquake, disaster, or communications communities. The safety information is intended for dissemination to the general public. If you would like more in-depth or scientific information, please contact your local emergency management office, local National Weather Service office, local American Red Cross chapter, state geological survey office, or the National Fire Protection Association.

[EdGlaze]

Talking About Disaster – Guide for Standard Messages
National Disaster Education Coaltiion, August 2004.
http://www.disastereducation.org/lib...ster_Guide.pdf

[ma1229]

Is there a source for standard press releases? Common items for disasters or magor events? Reminders to the public (i.e. candle safety, carbon monixide from running generators, chain saw safety)
Am I looking for public safety announcememnts?

You can download free fill-in-the-blank articles and press releases on safety topics at the Home Safety Council's online Expert Network. The web site is www.homesafetycouncil.org/expertnetwork. There is no charge for any of the materials. They also have free "hard copy" video and print materials that you can request to communicate public safety messages. They are a national nonprofit organization.

[AFD2181]

Another good resource would be fellow PIO's in your area, as well as membership in the National Information Officers Assoc. www.nioa.org
This group is a great resource, pretty good conference each year, and all kidding aside the networking at after events worth their weight in gold.

My first conference/experience with this group was positive. Everyone very helpful, and general sense driving group is realization that we are all in this together. Group draws from Law Enforcement, Fire/Ems, Medi-vac, Hospitals, and Gov.

The contacts I made helped me tremendously as I could pick up a phone a make a call whenever I have questions.

[firedude36]

Hello all,
In the back of the IFSTA PIO text, there is a CD that has a bunch of forms to use for press releases. I would post them here, how that information is copyrighted.

[FireSpotter]

Another place that you might want to check is with the Emergency Management Plan for your jurisdiction with your emergency management coordinator. I know that in Annex I (Texas version) there are some PSAs that might work for you.