[PAO] September Disaster Preparedness Month

[Arthur Woodgate]

The PAO/PIO problem is that CAP's PIO certification is nearly devoid of PA
skills, yet there are lots of CAP PIOs who passed the few tasks required by
the SQTR and can potentially end up being the PIO on a mission. But, if you
look at the FEMA training required of PIOs, CAP does not prescribe any of
that training for our PIOs, some of whom may be PIOs but are not PAO rated.

 

The reverse problem is that of PAOs who have no PIO training, and working as
a PIO is not the same as being a PAO. The merry dance starts when the
emergency chooses a PAO, with no PIO able to help either onsite or via
communications because the hurricane, tornado or earthquake has broken down
all links, and the IC who supervises that PA person has insufficient PA
training too. So here is a a blind-leading-the-blind situation, a recipe for
disaster.

 

I have advocated for some time the idea that a PAO should not rise above
technician unless that PAO also becomes a FEMA-compliant PIO, and a
master-rated PAO should be at least a senior-rated FEMA-compliant PIO. How
else would a wing PAO who is not PIO rated be an effective resource person
for the wing's PAOs and PIOs? 

 

Separating PAOs from PIOs is a mistake. But an even bigger mistake is having
PIOs who are not PAOs too.

 

Arthur ~

__________________________________

ARTHUR E. WOODGATE, Lt. Col., CAP

Director of Public Affairs & Director of Organizational Excellence

Southwest Region

Civil Air Patrol - "Citizens Serving Communities"

512.432.0231 

512.547.6997 <<< VoIP (secondary)

512.567.1935 (cell - not always on)

awoodgate at austin.rr.com 

LtColWoodgate at gmail.com

 

From: cap-pao-bounces at lists.sempervigilans.org
[mailto:cap-pao-bounces at lists.sempervigilans.org] On Behalf Of Karen
Copenhaver
Sent: Saturday, September 07, 2013 8:04 AM
To: CAP Public Affairs Officers
Subject: Re: [PAO] September Disaster Preparedness Month

 


With respect, I do not agree..... mainly because being a PIO is more
specialized and focused on emergency services.  The responsibility of a PAO
is different in that he/she is responsible for the image of CAP in general.
When first joining CAP, usually the PAO  is focused on learning more about
the organization, how it works or functions within the community, impacts
the future of our leaders (cadets) and just what CAP is and does as part of
our congressionaly mandated missions.  The PIO must be experienced and have
gained the confidence to work emergency / training missions.  There is a
significant difference as my personal professional training taught me, and
all those professional practioners will agree.  Let's not forget, that all
PAOs do not want to serve as PIOs.  I can't imagine a new PAO automatically
being considered a PIO, it's akin to telling a new CAP member is
automatically certified to fly as an observer, or field operative.  NO WAY.
There must be a specified dedicated training program to instruct a PAO in
how a mission is initiated, who initiates, learning the responsibilities of
fellow mission members, what should and should not be released, how to
interact with fellow mission members, the public and any members of a family
involved.  The list goes on... however, once the PAO gains the knowledge and
training in emergency services, then.... then he/she should be evaluated
before being certified to served as a PIO, but must serve as a PAO first, at
least for a year...... hope this helps.


Karen L. Copenhaver, Lt Col, CAP
Deputy Director, Public Affairs
MER



On 9/6/2013 4:10 PM, Cianciolo, Lt Col, Paul wrote:

That makes me even more convinced that CAP should not be separating PAO and
PIO responsibilities as is now. We are one organization and can't
compartmentalize it so much. SAR, HLS, and DR missions are part of the whole
mission. Without them, would CAP be here? At times its like being in two
different organizations depending on what the activity is.

Paul 





v/r
--
PAUL S. CIANCIOLO, Lt Col, CAP
Public Affairs Officer
National Capital Wing

Cell: 301-751-2011

Work: 202-385-9599 (@FAA)

 

 

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