Course Outline

Chris Ryan, president of Ryan & Assoc. Public Relations created and developed Police Social Media Boot Camp, a 3-day specialization course as necessary training for law enforcement, corrections, fire, public safety and municipal officials responsible for communicating and interacting with the public and news media through social media.

Mr. Ryan personally administers the program. The non-graded 24 (classroom) hours is offered at various locations throughout the United States and internationally.

Course Objectives

This training focuses on developing crucial social media relations and communication skills and understanding of the business of news and social media. The stated goal is aiding fire, corrections, police, public safety and municipal personnel empowered with managing and disseminating information through social media messaging and communications.

Fire Social Media Boot Camp participants receive step-by-step direction and vital information on how to excel using social media platforms on a day-to-day basis as well as during media and public interactions, etc. Participants also learn to use social media communications as part of news conferences, at crime and fire scenes and in crisis and other critical situations where the public and news
media have an interest in the response, handling and its final outcome.

Participants are trained to understand the workings of social media as a part of news media operations on a local, national and international level and its interaction with police, fire, public safety and other first responders. Attendees also learn to manage and disseminate critical and often sensitive information via social media platforms as well as understanding the legal aspects and possible ramifications of the release of information. They also learn to utilize social media communications proactively and anticipate reporters’ tactics and perspectives while giving solid and effective answers to general public’s questions and concerns. Participants learn how to execute summarized and complete departmental alerts, advisories, news releases and related collateral materials.

This course provides a thorough understanding of the affect that good fire social media relations and communications with the news media and public have on officer contacts, community and government relations, recruiting, outreach programs as well as building alliances with other agencies. Participants learn how their social media messaging, communications and interactions can go a long way in building long-lasting agency relationships. There’s often an unexpected impact in the areas of personnel safety, community support, budgets, and a more timely resolution of crimes and other incidents. Issues covered in this training lead to a better understanding of the department’s social media and communications functions and their place in the community.

Attendees learn from instructor Chris Ryan’s ‘real world’ knowledge, experience and viewpoints as they interactively discuss critical incidents, situations and video segments featuring law enforcement, corrections, fire and public safety officials from across the country and around the world interacting with news reporters, citizen reporters and everyday people in a variety of scenarios. Finally, students participate in practical scenarios and mock incidents and simulated high profile situations. These intensive scenarios are designed to challenge students to use skills attained during the course to communicate effectively and consistently in highly charged situations where easy answers and solutions are rarely available and ‘real world’ knowledge and experience is vital.

Officials from law enforcement, corrections, fire, public safety and other municipal agencies are encouraged to attend for invaluable insight, information, networking and training credit.

Strategies and Materials

Fire Social Media Boot Camp activities include high caliber social media relations and communications instruction, discussions, problem solving, video presentations, group learning with rapid paced, thought-provoking exercises and role-playing scenarios.

Materials include seminar workbook, handouts, legal and case studies, visual aids and videos, etc.

Email: info@firesocialmedia.com or call 1-602-445-6442