The PIO Podcast

Hosted by Robert Tornabene

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Episodes

262

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

The PIO Podcast is a leading resource for Public Information Officers (PIOs) and Public Affairs Officers (PAOs) working in law enforcement, fire service, EMS, emergency management, and government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. Focused on crisis communications, media relations, and public trust, this podcast delivers expert insights, real-world strategies, and interviews with experienced communicators across the public sector. Each episode explores the challenges PIOs face, including managing breaking incidents, navigating social media, combating misinformation, and communicating effectively during emergencies and high-pressure situations. Whether you are a new PIO or a seasoned public affairs professional, The PIO Podcast provides actionable guidance to strengthen your communication skills and leadership impact. Join a growing network of public safety communicators committed to learning, professional development, and advancing the role of strategic communications in government. To support the podcast or connect with the community, email: thepiopodcast@gmail.com

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 14, 2026Episode 391 hr 13 min

Leadership Lessons from a Father-Daughter EMS Team

Send us Fan Mail I n this episode, father-daughter team Brad and Kira Newbury share their journey in EMS education, leadership insights, and innovative approaches to training future public safety professionals. Discover how their organization, NMETC, is transforming emergency medical training and fostering a new generation of leaders. Brad's BIO; Brad Newbury, MPA, NRP is the President and CEO of the National Medical Education & Training Center (NMETC) and the author of The Saved Effect: True Stories of Lives Reclaimed by People Who Were Willing to Act and The First Responder Advantage . With over 40 years of experience in firefighting and prehospital medicine, Brad has dedicated his life to helping others be ready—and willing—to act when it matters most. A fire captain, paramedic, and educator, Brad has built NMETC into one of the nation’s premier institutions for EMS education. Founded in 2010, the organization has trained thousands of students around the world, empowering the next generation of lifesavers through skill, awareness, and preparedness. Brad also serves with the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Fellowship in Disaster Medicine as Associate Director of Prehospital Disaster Operations and speaks nationally and internationally on Fire & EMS leadership, disaster response, and preparedness. Brad Newbury LinkedIn Kiera's BIO: Kiera Newbury, BA, NREMT is an emergency medical professional and emerging author of The Saved Effect: True Stories of Lives Reclaimed by People Who Were Willing to Act . With a background in psychology and a passion for storytelling, Kiera combines clinical training with a deep appreciation for the human side of emergency medicine. A Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician, Kiera has worked alongside the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Disaster Medicine Fellowship and contributed to projects focused on public awareness, emergency preparedness, and healthcare education. She speaks on healthcare, CPR readiness, and mental health—encouraging individuals and communities to become trained, prepared, and willing to act. Kiera Newbury LinkedIn The Saved Effect on Amazon Support the show Our premiere sponsor, Social News Desk, has an exclusive offer for PIO Podcast listeners. Head over to socialnewsdesk.com/pio to get three months free when a qualifying agency signs up.

October 7, 2026Episode 3855 min

First Responder Trauma Study that will save lives with Victorian Simmons

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary: Victorian Simmons discusses her research on trauma communication patterns among first responders, the impact of repeated trauma exposure, and strategies for improving mental health and communication within emergency services. This episode offers insights for leaders, families, and first responders to foster resilience and support. Victorian's BIO: Victorian Simmons is a nationally recognized public safety communicator known for turning complex information into clear, compelling messages that people can understand, trust, and act on. As the Public Information Officer for the Apex Fire and Police Departments, she leads strategic communications, media relations, and community engagement for two public safety agencies serving one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing communities. Her work has earned recognition at the local, state, national, and international levels. Victorian was selected as a 2026 National Rising Star by the National Fire Protection Association and received the 2025 Chief Alan Brunacini Special Projects Award for an innovative project advancing the fire and emergency services. She was also named the 2024 International Rising Star by Women in Fire Safety and earned first place in the 2025 NC3C Excellence in Communications Awards for Best Social Media Single Post. Beyond communicating for public safety agencies, Victorian is helping shape how the profession communicates. She was one of three contributors selected to develop and author Criterion 9E: Public Information for the Center for Public Safety Excellence Agency Accreditation Program, establishing guidance for evaluating fire department communication programs nationwide. Victorian is a North Carolina Type III Public Information Officer and holds both the FEMA Executive Public Information Officer designation and the Commission on Professional Credentialing’s Public Information Officer designation. She has also completed the FBI-LEEDA Media and Public Relations program. A sought-after speaker and educator, Victorian has presented at conferences across the country on public information, emergency communication, digital strategy, and human-centered messaging. She also teaches public safety communications through the Guilford Technical Community College Fire Academy and advises agencies on social media, website design, and visual storytelling. Victorian holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Keuka College and a master’s degree in business management from Elmira College. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in Strategic Communication at Liberty University, where her research examines communication, trauma, and support within the first-responder community. Social Media: Linkedin Support the show Our premiere sponsor, Social News Desk, has an exclusive offer for PIO Podcast listeners. Head over to socialnewsdesk.com/pio to get three months free when a qualifying agency signs up.

September 30, 2026Episode 371 hr 8 min

Officer involved Domestic Violence with Bruce Bieber

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary: Bruce Bieber shares his personal journey from tragedy to advocacy, highlighting the systemic failures in law enforcement's handling of domestic violence cases and proposing best practices to prevent future tragedies. This episode emphasizes the importance of proactive policies, training, and accountability in law enforcement to save lives. Bruce's BIO Bruce Bieber is a national advocate for Police-Perpetrated / Officer-Involved Domestic Violence (PP/OIDV) awareness, prevention, and reform. His advocacy emerged following the murder of his daughter, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Abigail Rose “Abby” Bieber, in a PP/OIDV murder-suicide on January 29, 2022. Abby’s two older brothers are both law enforcement officers. A retired commercial construction manager, Bruce and his wife, Sarah, spent more than four decades raising their family in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area before relocating to Florida in 2021 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Public service has long been central to the Bieber family, with careers spanning law enforcement, fire and EMS, a US Army combat veteran, and decades of public school teaching. Following Abby’s death, Bruce embarked on an intensive study of PP/OIDV and the organizational, cultural, and systemic factors that can allow warning signs to go unrecognized or unaddressed. What began as a father’s search for answers evolved into a national advocacy effort. He has collaborated with leading researchers, law enforcement professionals, survivors, policy experts, and advocates across the United States to better understand the causes, consequences, and prevention of police perpetrated domestic violence. Today, Bruce speaks nationally about PP/OIDV, using Abby’s story to promote evidence-based reform. His presentations explore offender behavior, warning signs, accountability, agency culture, victim safety, and the critical role of early intervention. He advocates for mandatory PP/OIDV training, comprehensive agency policies, and cultural change within law enforcement organizations. Bruce’s central message is straightforward: if PP/OIDV is predictable, and it is, then the devastation that flows from it is preventable. Through education, advocacy, and reform, he works to honor Abby’s memory while helping agencies, policymakers, and communities prevent future tragedies, save lives, and strengthen public trust. Support the show Our premiere sponsor, Social News Desk, has an exclusive offer for PIO Podcast listeners. Head over to socialnewsdesk.com/pio to get three months free when a qualifying agency signs up.

September 23, 2026Episode 3644 min

Mastering Crisis Communication: Lessons from the FBI and Boston Bombing with Jason Pack

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary: In this episode, Jason Pack, a retired FBI special agent and public information officer, shares insights from his extensive career in law enforcement and crisis communication. He discusses lessons learned from major incidents like the Boston Marathon bombing, the importance of trust and relationships in crisis communication, and how technology and social media are transforming the field. Jason's BIO: Jason Pack is a retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent, former television reporter, and frequent law enforcement and crisis communications analyst for Fox News, CNN, NewsNation, and the BBC. With more than 30 years of experience in public safety, media relations, and emergency response, he has built a unique career spanning journalism, emergency management, law enforcement, and crisis communications. Pack began his career as a firefighter and EMT in East Tennessee before working as a television news reporter and anchor. He later served with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), where he deployed to major disasters nationwide, including the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster and the September 11 terrorist attacks. As a FEMA Public Information Officer, he was deployed to Ground Zero in New York City, an experience that inspired him to join the FBI. Following 9/11, Pack served for 20 years as an FBI Special Agent and Supervisory Special Agent. During his career, he led communications efforts and supported some of the nation’s most significant crises, including the Boston Marathon bombing, the Pulse Nightclub attack, the Chattanooga military recruiting center shootings, the Nashville Christmas Day bombing, major cyber incidents, child abduction investigations, hostage situations, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires. He also served as an FBI crisis negotiator, Acting Legal Attaché, leader of the FBI National Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team, and instructor at the FBI Academy and the FBI National Academy. Today, Pack serves as Communications Director for the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, overseeing strategic communications for six statewide public safety agencies. He is also CEO of Media Rep Global Strategies, a crisis communications and strategic consulting firm. Pack is the author of the recently published book, The Crisis Code, which shares lessons in leadership, communication, and decision-making drawn from some of the most challenging crises of his career. Jason's LinkedIn Support the show Our premiere sponsor, Social News Desk, has an exclusive offer for PIO Podcast listeners. Head over to socialnewsdesk.com/pio to get three months free when a qualifying agency signs up.

September 16, 2026Episode 3533 min

Misinformation AI Threats to Elections with Tim Miller

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary: In this episode, Tim Miller from Dataminr discusses the intersection of technology, AI, and public safety, highlighting how real-time threat detection and cybersecurity are evolving to meet modern challenges. We explore wildfire detection, event management during large-scale events like the FIFA World Cup, and best practices for public safety agencies. Tim's BIO: Tim Miller, Dataminr’s Global Field CTO and Chief Cybersecurity Strategist, has nearly two decades of experience helping public sector organizations adopt and leverage emerging technologies. Prior to Dataminr, he held public sector-facing roles at Socrata, IBM, Adobe, and Oracle. Tim's LinkedIn Support the show Our premiere sponsor, Social News Desk, has an exclusive offer for PIO Podcast listeners. Head over to socialnewsdesk.com/pio to get three months free when a qualifying agency signs up.

September 9, 2026Episode 341 hr 2 min

Revolutionizing Crisis Communication with AI with Eric Saylors

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary: In this episode, Eric Saylors shares insights on how AI can revolutionize public safety leadership and crisis communication. Discover practical strategies for using AI to enhance messaging, anticipate questions, and improve decision-making during emergencies. Eric's BIO: Eric Saylors is the author of Quantifying a Negative (2015), Sense Making in Risk Assessments (2022), and The 7-Year Active Shooter Study (2026). He is a Fire Chief with over 30 years of experience and holds a Doctorate in Leadership from the University of Southern California. In addition to serving as Product Lead for HEN Technologies, Eric is Fire Chief of the El Cerrito–Kensington Fire Department, having previously spent 25 years with the Sacramento City Fire Department. Over the course of his career, he has served in every rank from firefighter/paramedic to Fire Chief, including engineer, captain, battalion chief, and assistant chief. His operational experience includes assignments on ambulances, fire engines, ladder trucks, a Type 1 HazMat team, and a heavy rescue unit. He has responded to and managed a wide range of incidents, including high-rise fires, large commercial fires, wildland-urban interface incidents, basement fires, and balloon-frame construction fires. Prior to joining executive leadership, he served as Battalion Chief 1 in downtown Sacramento, one of the region's busiest operational areas. In addition to his doctorate, Chief Saylors holds two associate degrees, a bachelor’s degree in finance, and a master’s degree in Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School. He regularly consults with fire departments nationwide on active shooter response, leadership development, succession planning, and post-incident analysis, and has published more than twenty articles on homeland security and fire service topics. Support the show Our premiere sponsor, Social News Desk, has an exclusive offer for PIO Podcast listeners. Head over to socialnewsdesk.com/pio to get three months free when a qualifying agency signs up.

September 2, 2026Episode 3348 min

The Role of Social Media in Modern Law Enforcement: Insights from Rebecca D'Auria

Send us Fan Mail Summary: In this episode of The PIO Podcast, we sit down with Rebecca D’Auria, Public Information Analyst with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, to unpack how one of California’s largest sheriff’s offices approaches social media, crisis communication, and community engagement. Rebecca shares how she got her start in law enforcement communications, why storytelling matters in public safety, and how her team balances planned content with fast-moving breaking incidents. We talk about the shift toward short-form video, the importance of adapting content for different platforms, and why law enforcement agencies should stop treating social media like a press release dump. She also breaks down how audience feedback, analytics, and behind-the-scenes content shape their strategy, as well as how her team handles transparency, legal limits, and the growing role of AI. Her biggest takeaway: don’t post and ghost — social media should be a conversation, not a broadcast. Rebecca's BIO: As the Public Affairs Specialist for the Orange County Sheriff's Department, she manages the department's digital presence, overseeing more than 90 social media accounts. Since joining the team in 2021, she has been dedicated to developing and executing effective social media outreach strategies, ensuring that our digital content resonates with the community and enhances engagement. Her role involves creating and implementing creative content across platforms, analyzing social media trends, and providing valuable insights on analytics to help drive department goals. Rebecca works closely with internal teams to keep them informed of key performance metrics, and my research into emerging digital trends influences how the department's content is presented and received across various platforms. In addition to my work in digital communications, I have a passion for mentoring and training junior communications professionals, helping them build skills in social media management and outreach. Before my current role, I worked as a Staff Writer and Social Media Manager for Behind the Badge, an award-winning news outlet focused on police, fire, and public safety reporting in Southern California. Rebecca's LinkedIn Support the show Our premiere sponsor, Social News Desk, has an exclusive offer for PIO Podcast listeners. Head over to socialnewsdesk.com/pio to get three months free when a qualifying agency signs up.

August 26, 2026Episode 3248 min

From Radio to City Hall: Erinn Reyes on Public Engagement

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary: Erinn Reyes, Director of Communications for the City of Garden City, Kansas, shares insights on municipal communication strategies, crisis management, and building community trust. Discover how her diverse background and recent FBI training shape her approach to transparent, effective public engagement. Erinn's BIO: Erinn Reyes is the Communications Director for the City of Garden City, where she works at the intersection of municipal government communications and public safety messaging, managing everything from crisis communications to community engagement to citywide information strategies. Erinn is passionate about fostering positive relationships between the local government and the community, advocating for transparency, and promoting a safe, informed environment for all residents and followers, all while adding some humor and good human moments along the way. She has proudly served with the City of Garden City since 2015. Before leading the City’s Communications Department, Erinn also served as the Public Information Officer for the Garden City Police Department. Erinn earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and is a graduate of the Emergency Management Institute’s APIO Program (2024) and the FBI-LEEDA’s 177th Media & Public Relations Course (2023). In her spare time, Erinn enjoys reading, playing video games, and spending quality time with her family and friends, her two dogs, and her growing guinea pig farm. Erinn's LinkedIn Support the show Our premiere sponsor, Social News Desk, has an exclusive offer for PIO Podcast listeners. Head over to socialnewsdesk.com/pio to get three months free when a qualifying agency signs up.

August 19, 2026Episode 311 hr 0 min

Revolutionizing Government: How MyGovTools Enhances Community Engagement

Send us Fan Mail Evan Meyer, creator of MyGovTools, shares insights on government technology, community engagement, and the challenges of modern public communication. Discover how innovative tools can rebuild trust, improve efficiency, and address bureaucratic hurdles. Evan's BIO: Evan Meyer is a tech entrepreneur and civic leader passionate about transportation, urban revitalization through art, and building purpose-driven communities. He founded BeautifyEarth.com, a tech platform accelerating mural- driven beautification in cities, and BeautifyEarth.org, a public charity beautifying schools in underserved communities. He also created RideAmigos.com, optimizing commuter travel through intelligent analytics, and MyGovTools.org, rebuilding trust in government through efficiency and transparency. As a former District Director for the California State Senate and neighborhood association president, Evan brings real-world civic experience to every conversation. Evan's Website Support the show Our premiere sponsor, Social News Desk, has an exclusive offer for PIO Podcast listeners. Head over to socialnewsdesk.com/pio to get three months free when a qualifying agency signs up.

August 12, 2026Episode 3043 min

The Hidden Complexity of Disaster Recovery That Practitioners Often Overlook

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Josh Bear, a research professor specializing in community resilience and disaster response, shares insights into the complex human and community behaviors during emergencies. We explore how recovery can span years, the importance of tailored communication, and the role of simulation in improving disaster management. BIO: Dr. Joshua Behr is a research professor at the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC). He conducts studies, performs modeling, and publishes insights on resilience, catastrophic events, recovery, evacuation and sheltering, and supply chain material & labor convergence. This entails leveraging natural systems data to model storms and flooding, built environment data to characterize the physical structures in our communities, and social- behavioral data related to population perceptions and behavioral response. Support the show Our premiere sponsor, Social News Desk, has an exclusive offer for PIO Podcast listeners. Head over to socialnewsdesk.com/pio to get three months free when a qualifying agency signs up.