JP 3-28, page 99

National Incident Management System Overview A-7 uniform and consistent guidance to incident management personnel. The JFO is the multiagency coordination center of primary interest to the CCDR or the JFC. d. Public Information Systems. These refer to processes, procedures, and systems for communicating timely and accurate information to the public during crisis or emergency situations. Under the ICS, the public information officer (PIO) is a key staff member supporting the incident command structure. (1) The PIO represents and advises the incident commander on all public information matters relating to the management of the incident. The PIO handles media and public inquiries, emergency public information and warnings, rumor monitoring and response, media monitoring, and other functions required to coordinate, clear with appropriate authorities and disseminate accurate and timely information related to the incident, particularly regarding information on public health and safety and protection. The PIO should have a basic understanding of several specific subjects, such as nonlethal weapons and CBRN effects, to answer questions appropriately and minimize reactions. (2) The PIO also coordinates public information at or near the incident site and serves as the on-scene link to the joint information system. In a large-scale operation, the on-scene PIO serves as a field PIO with links to the JIC, which is typically co-located with the federal, regional, state, local, or tribal EOC tasked with primary incident coordination responsibilities. (a) The joint information system provides the mechanism to integrate public information activities among JICs, across jurisdictions, and with the private sector and NGOs. During emergencies, the public may receive information from a variety of sources. (b) The JIC provides a location for organizations participating in the management of an incident to work together to ensure timely, accurate, easy-to-understand, and consistent information is disseminated to the public. JICs include processes to coordinate and clear public communications. The JIC develops, coordinates, and disseminates unified news releases. (3) News releases are cleared through the JFO coordination group to ensure consistent messages, to avoid release of conflicting information, and to prevent negative impact on operations. This formal approval process for news releases ensures protection of law enforcement-sensitive information or other sensitive but unclassified information. DOD supports the national-level JIC and contributes to the overall unified message. DOD and other agencies may issue their own news releases related to their policies, procedures, programs, and capabilities; however, these should be coordinated with the JIC.