Who is responsible for the approval of the release of incident-related information?

The Public Information Officer (PIO) is the individual designated to handle and release information related to incidents. This role is crucial in managing how information about emergency situations is communicated to the public, media, and other stakeholders. The PIO ensures that accurate and timely information is relayed, which helps prevent the spread of misinformation and keeps the community informed about safety measures and operational updates.

This role is distinct from others, such as the Liaison Officer, who is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with external organizations, or the Incident Commander, who oversees all operations at the scene of the incident. Unified Command involves multiple agencies working collaboratively, but it does not specifically designate a single person for the approval of information release. The PIO’s expertise in communication strategies ensures that the message aligns with the incident objectives and the overall goals of the response efforts.