The Public Information Section is unique in both structure and function within the department. The section has a Captain and a full time Public Information Officer (PIO), along with a specially trained cadre to assist when needed. The section reports to the Fire Chief and Command Staff and is located at Fire Headquarters.
Getting the correct message out during an emergency in the 24-hr news cycle is crucial to keeping the public informed. The PIO section utilizes multiple social media platforms to achieve this. Primarily, Twitter is used for breaking news on incidents, while community news, public service announcements, and general feature news is presented via the department’s Facebook or Instagram accounts.
Scott Safechuck
Public Information Officer
The News Line (805) 681-5546 consists of a recorded message concerning the department and its activities in relation to emergency incidents. Members of the news media have been given the News Line number to acquire information 24 hours a day. Up to 25 calls can simultaneously access the system and receive a message. The PIO will record a short news message regarding the Fire Department’s activities when a code 20 is called. The News Line will be updated whenever possible and can be used to convey other messages, such as public education, public service announcements, control burn information, and special information about department activities.
Captain Scott Safechuck, Public Information Officer
[email protected]
(805)681-5531
