The Office of Communications (OOC) provides public information to media, promotes department programming and initiatives, prepares public education campaigns and material, and manages website content and social media. The OOC also manages the Joint Information Center when the State Emergency Operations Center is activated.
Related Minnesota Statutes
Staff
The OOC has 14 full-time staff members, including a chief public information officer, director, public information officers (PIOs), graphic designer and administrative assistant. PIOs serve department divisions and include specialized positions in Web management, social media and public affairs. Collectively, OOC staff has combined experience of:
- 64 years at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety
- 86 years in various Minnesota state agencies and U.S. military branches
- 200+ years in communications, public relations, marketing and other related fields.
Staff members are frequent presenters and panel members at state, regional and national conferences. Additionally, staff members have served on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) assessment panels for other states’ traffic safety programming. Staff members also serve as university-level instructors, and trainers for the U.S. Dept. of Defense and FEMA.
Training
Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) training, including:
- Incident Management
- Emergency Support
- Emergency Operations Center Operations
- All-Hazards Planning
- Advanced Public Information Officer
- National Response
- National Incident Management
- Defense Information School, Public Affairs
Awards
OOC programs, collateral and other communication efforts have been recognized with numerous regional, national and international awards from government agencies and associations, including:
Staff members have been recognized with multiple Emmy awards, Edward R. Murrow awards, and honors from the Society of Professional Journalists.
