The practical PIO

For the voluntold public information officer: Communicate confidently

Resources, tools, and training for emergency personnel who never planned to be communicators but became their agency’s voice.

Built by someone who has been there

I’m John Collins, a certified firefighter/EMT, award-winning journalist, former PIO, and content strategist. I know what it’s like to stare at a blank page at 4 a.m. after a long incident as the morning news cycle looms, doubting I have what it takes to share a quality news release.The Practical PIO exists because I know that many of you are filling the role under the heading “other duties as assigned” and you find crisis communications scary.You deserve resources built for your reality.

Photo of a man outdoors with a blurry tree in the background

Coming soon

What I'm building

⚡️AI-powered news release generator

Stop staring at blank pages. Answer a few questions about your incident, event, or announcement and get professional news releases for your website, social media, and email.Built specifically for emergency services:

  • Converts NIMS/ICS terminology and jargon to plain language

  • Follows Associated Press Stylebook guidance

  • Creates news releases tailored to specific platforms

  • Saves you 30+ minutes per press release

Launching 2026. Join the waitlist for early access.Founding members get 50% off year one.

Join the Practical PIO waitlist

AND MORE

Plus: Resources for PIOs

While building this tool, I'm also creating:

  • Newsletter: Real (anonymized) breakdowns of social media posts, featuring constructive feedback (launching soon)

  • Field guide: A handbook for reluctant communicators who never planned to be a PIO

Want updates on all of this? Join the waitlist above to hear about everything as it launches.

Practical PIO is a venture of Triple Oak Enterprises focused on providing resources for emergency services communicators.© 2025 by Triple Oak Enterprises LLC