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MnSCU Emergency Response Plan

ANNEX C: PUBLIC INFORMATION

 I. PURPOSE

To provide an overview of how emergency public information would be disseminated in the event of an emergency/disaster.

 II. SPOKESPERSON

The only officials authorized to originate public information releases regarding MnSCU response to an emergency/disaster are:

      A. Chancellor for the Office of the Chancellor or his/her designee

      B. Campus Presidents or his/her designee

These individuals will be given access to all information necessary to develop news releases.  They will work closely with the Public Information Officer (PIO) located in the local Emergency Operating Center. The Local and County Public Information Officers (PIO) will establish a media center where news releases will be given. The Public Information Officer (PIO), working with the Red Cross, also has responsibility for public inquiries. The Joint Public Information Center (JPIC) will provide a central control point for all news releases related to the incident/accident.

 III. RESPONSIBILITIES

A. MnSCU personnel in the field will be responsible for relaying important information about the emergency disaster to the designated Public Information Officer (PIO).

B. The Public Information Officer (PIO) will relay information as needed to the official spokesperson, and will arrange for the spokesperson to release the information to the media.

C. The Public Information Officer (PIO) will coordinate all Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) news releases.

D. The Public Information Officer (PIO) will be responsible for arranging for rumor control at the local Emergency Operations Center (EOC) or Joint Public Information Center (JPIC).

E. The Public Information Officer (PIO) will be responsible for the preparation of materials for the visually impaired, hearing impaired and non-English speaking groups.