TUESDAY, APRIL 10 - LUNCHEON KEYNOTECALIFORNIA'S YEAR OF WILDFIRES - #SONOMASTRONG #VENTURASTRONG #COMMUNITYImmediately following a networking lunch, we will hear from PIOs heavily involved in communication outreach during California’s worst fire year on record. Captain Erik Scott will lead the discussion with fellow PIOs involved in the Thomas and Wine Country fires. Gain insights on how communicators responded during these fast-moving fires. Learn how messaging and community outreach saved lives and about the long-term recovery process. Following this overview, breakout sessions will focus on specific topics for more take-aways and tactical learning opportunities. Moderator
Captain Scott has been involved in the PIO field over the last eight years and has had the privilege to provide over 1000 News Media interviews and establishes Press Conferences monthly. He is PIO on a LAFD Field Incident Management Team. Captain Scott annually establishes a JIC as the lead PIO for the Los Angeles Marathon. He is also deployed throughout the year to large scale wildfires across the State. He has been the manager of LAFD Social Media accounts for seven years and instructs Social Media in Emergency Management for a FEMA All-Hazards PIO course. He also is a trained a Terrorism Liaison Officer. Captain Scott achieved State Fire Marshal, Fire Officer Certification. Other honors include Firefighter of the Month by the LAFD Foundation, Multiple IAFF Journalism awards, and a Certificate of Appreciation from the Fire Chief. Captain Scott graduated the West Point Military based, LAFD Leadership Academy. He truly enjoys bettering himself and more importantly others. PanelistsSonoma Fire Representatives: Paul Lowenthal, assistant fire marshal and public information officer, Santa Rosa Fire Department Ventura Fire Representatives: Gina DePinto, APR, communications manager, Santa Barbara County |
Erik Scott, Fire Captain / Paramedic & Public Information Officer for the Los Angeles Fire Department