2025 PIO Symposium and Training

The Florida Association of Public Information Officers (FAPIO), a section of the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association (FFCA), manages the national-known Florida PIO Deployment Team, that coordinates the voluntary deployment of PIOs to disasters that require additional public communications capabilities during an emergency or activation under the Florida Division of Emergency Management. If you are deployed, your home agency is fully reimbursed for covered expenses like your salary, overtime, travel, lodging and meals. FDEM has streamlined the process for reimbursement to under 45 days, providing the proper documentation is submitted. During a deployment activation, a statewide PIO resource request survey is generated for available PIOs. You must obtain home agency approval before accepting the deployment. If you are selected, a mission number is assigned by FDEM to ensure reimbursement. Self-dispatching to an event or a disaster is not covered and is strongly discouraged. Most deployments require a one-week minimum commitment, but every mission is different. Sometimes PIOs with unique skillsets are canvassed for availability – like bilingual, video production, graphics and digital media, to name a few. Newer PIOs who have never deployed will be paired with experienced PIOs for the mission. The experience gained from any deployment is immeasurable and you return home with experience that will benefit your career and agency. Deployment Team application are accepted year-round and can be found at www.fapio.org.