Abstract
Aim: The primary purpose of this paper is to identify the needs of spokespersons and press officers of the State Fire Service as regards their professional development. This objective can be achieved by applying a preliminary survey. A supplementary objective is to define the characteristics of those officers’ work.
Project and methods: An inseparable aspect of the rescue operations carried out by the State Fire Service (PSP) is the accompanying media coverage of such incidents. The basis for the correct preparation and distribution of information by fire service unit is the professionalism of the people responsible for this process. The tasks of spokespersons and press officers and their allocation in the structure of the service should be described in greater detail. The actions taken by those officers are not based on structural knowledge in the field of cooperation with the mass media. The work of spokespersons and press officers of PSP at the level of district / municipal and provincial headquarters was analysed. To this end, a preliminary survey among officers entrusted with these duties was carried out. The survey questionnaire consisted of 10 closed or open-ended questions. The survey was made available to PSP spokespersons and press officers on the basis of a contact form available on the website of KG PSP (PSP National Headquarters). The study featured 112 officers who served as spokespersons or press officers of PSP on a daily basis.
Results: The results of the study were the basis for defining the most prominent areas of knowledge in the field of cooperation with the mass media and the press, and information activities undertaken by spokespersons and press officers. Due to the participation in the survey of 112 respondents, its results were considered qualitatively representative. In addition, this paper includes the characteristics of the work of these officers and the challenges they face. The authors put forward recommendations related to the professional development of State Fire Service Spokespersons and Press Officers The survey results have been demonstrated in graphic form, accompanied by their analysis.
Conclusions: At present, the professional development system does not respond to the needs of spokespersons and press officers. It is necessary to take into account the needs of this group of officers in the professional development system in place at PSP. This goal can be achieved by applying the general principles of professional development at PSP to spokespersons and press officers. This task should be preceded by a detailed needs analysis and the development of a training and professional development plan.
Keywords: press officers, the professional development, spokesperson, cooperation with the media
Type of article: original scientific article