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

Professional news release generator built specifically for emergency services

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

Currently in private beta testing with a limited group of emergency services professionals

Join the Practical PIO waitlist

Become one of a growing list of 30+ emergency services workers from small fire departments to state emergency management offices, municipal police departments to private sector companies across the United States and Canada in getting updates as we progress.

AND MORE

Plus: Resources for PIOs

While building this tool, I'm also working on:

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

  • Practical PIO Instagram: PIO-related social media content and tips you can employ right away

  • Field guide: A handbook for reluctant communicators who never planned to be a PIO (I have an outline, but have not started actually writing.)

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.© 2026 by Triple Oak Enterprises LLC