During a major incident, who coordinates with command on public messaging and communicates information to the public?

• A. Incident Commander.
• B. Safety Officer.
• C. Staging Area Manager.
• D. Public Information Officer.

Answer: (D)

Coordinating what information goes to the public and ensuring it’s accurate and timely is the job of the Public Information Officer. This person acts as the official spokesperson and liaison to the media and the public, and works with the Incident Commander to decide what can be shared, when, and through which channels. In major events, the PIO may help run a Joint Information Center to align messages across agencies, so evac notices, shelter locations, road closures, and safety guidance are consistent. The Incident Commander oversees overall command, while Safety Officers and Staging Area Managers handle safety and logistics, respectively; but the public-facing communications come from the Public Information Officer.