[PAO] September Disaster Preparedness Month

[Karen Copenhaver]

Good morning Tom,

I understand how this might work, however, there are PAOs who do not 
wish to, or may not have the time to serve as a PIO, so why "require" 
him/her to do so?  We do not "require" any other position to do so as 
part of their training  (ref Mike Marek's response).    One can be an 
effective PAO even if not serving as PIO.   If we look at our entire CAP 
make up..... we wear two hats, one is administrative, one ES.  I grouped 
administrative into our day-to-day missions and initiatives because of 
our missions in cadet programs and our aerospace education as well as 
our support of our community involvement, and recruiting.

One should not be "forced" to qualify as a PIO if one does not desire to 
do so.  However, if one desires to serve as a PIO, then the background 
knowledge and experience gained as a PAO will definitely enhance the 
ability to serve in that capacity.   I whole heartely agree with Alice 
in that we should nurture our relationships with other organizations, 
which I too have been pushing for years.  Partnering with our fellow ES 
responders in training and in actual missions will make for a better 
team effort from all those who work in emergency services.  Thanks to 
Alice, we also should review how current all our MOUs are, and 
obtain/download/print copies.

On a training note, when I first joined CAP as a PAO, I made it a point 
to learn about all other positions in the squadron..... and in the ES 
role, especially during "training" missions. During those training 
missions, I physically visited each section, observed their duties and 
asked questions and took lots of notes.   That initiative provided a 
real perspective of what they did so I could share with the public with 
a better understanding and confidence.  As I mentor others, this is one 
of my first suggestions and encouragement as it  is very important to 
speak with knowledge.

Karen



On 9/7/2013 10:52 PM, Thomtra wrote:
> I agree, Karen, that a PAO can NOT automatically become a PIO. I think 
> the idea was to have a PAO EARN the PIO credentials as part of their 
> required qualifications rather than have two separate individuals.
>
> Tom
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Sep 7, 2013, at 6:03 AM, Karen Copenhaver <karenc at smyth.net 
> <mailto:karenc at smyth.net>> wrote:
>
>> /*
>> 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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