The OFEB Public Affairs Committee is a group of federal public affairs and communications professionals with a common interest in:

• Joint media training
• Joint communications plans for emergencies and major operations
• Best practices sharing
• Publicity of OFEB and inter-agency events
• OFEB communications, including brochures, the website and newsletters

If you are interested in finding out more about this committee, attending the next meeting or to get on the e-mail list, contact Michael Campbell at 503-808-6031 or Michael_Campbell@or.blm.gov.

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Archives

Public Affairs Committee to Explore “New Media” (5-23-07)

The Oregon FEB’s Public Affairs Committee took a closer look at a variety of “new media” vehicles that are growing in influence. A PBS “Frontline” video segment featuring blogs, podcasts, the Internet revolution, and the decline of print media was shown, followed by discussion. You can also view it and the other segments in the series online at  www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/newswar/view.

Michael Campbell provided a handout which included links to several blogs, some local and some national:
http://bojack.org
http://www.amandafritz.com
http://blog.washingtonpost.com
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/
http://www.oregonlive.com/blogs/

Also referenced at the session was the mock media method that will be used to cover the TOPOFF 4 emergency preparedness exercise, which will be held in Portland Oct. 15-24, 2007. VNN, or “Virtual News Network,” is produced by the federal government, but made to look and act like a real news network. Attendees at the meeting heard how their agency can tap into VNN even if they aren’t directly “playing” during TOPOFF 4, but want to use the broadcasts to help exercise their Continuity of Operations Plan during the exercise time frame.

Other resources referenced at the meeting included:

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's "Terrorism and Other Public Health Emergencies: A Field Guide for Media" - www.hhs.gov/emergency/mediaguide/field/.
• There is also another series of files that looks interesting, "Communicating in the First Hours: Initial Communication with the Public During a Potential Terrorism Event," at www.bt.cdc.gov/firsthours/.
• You can find a wealth of additional emergency-related info at www.hhs.gov/emergency/.

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Congressional Relations with Rian Windsheimer and Hillary Barbour (4-8-05)

Sixteen local public affairs and governmental relations professionals came together Friday, April 8th in Portland for an informal discussion with Rian Windsheimer from U.S. Senator Gordon Smith's office and Hillary Barbour of U.S. Congressman Blumenauer’s staff. Barbour and Windsheimer shared the basics of how their offices work, offered some effective communications suggestions, and answered questions from the audience. Suggestions they offered included: 1) stay in touch with their offices, especially by phone and e-mail, and 2) keep them regularly informed with brief summaries of important issues to your federal agency. Thanks to Public Affairs Committee Chair Michael Campbell of the Bureau of Land Management for arranging this noteworthy event.
		Hillary Barbour (right) addresses the OFEB Public Affairs Committee as Rian Windsheimer awaits the question and answer session.

Mt. St. Helens Joint Information Center Presentation (12-9-04)

The committee hosted a joint holiday get-together and presentation on the recent implementation of the Joint Information Center at the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, surrounding the Mount St. Helens incident. Panelists discussed the logistical issues associated with the creation of a Joint Information Center, working with a wide variety of state, local, and federal partners, and meeting the needs of the media. Featured guests included:

Rob Harper, Washington State Emergency Management
Tom Knappenberger, Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot National Forest Public Affairs
Deborah Needham, Clark County Regional Emergency Services Agency
Chris Strebig, Bureau of Land Management, Public Affairs

Key Presentation: Mount St. Helens JIC 2004 (PDF)