Brad McLelland

Editor of "Public Information Officer" (2nd Edition)

January 10, 2022

Brad McLelland is a senior editor at Fire Protection Publications who got his start with the company in 2012 as an instructional developer. Brad has worked on numerous projects for FPP, including his most recent duties as lead editor on "Fire and Emergency Services Instructor, Ninth Edition," "Principles of Passenger Vehicle Extrication, Fifth Edition," "Principles of Heavy Vehicle Extrication, First Edition," and "Pumping & Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook, Fourth Edition." Though he's a pretty busy guy, he still takes the time to watch Batman movies and play Mario Kart with his family.

Brad holds an MFA in Creative Writing from OSU and is the co-author of the middle-grade western fantasy series, "Legends of the Lost Causes," published by Macmillan's Henry Holt Books for Young Readers. Brad and his writing partner, Louis Sylvester, are the recipients of the 2019 Oklahoma Book Award, as well as Finalists in the 2020 Western Writers of America Spur Awards contest. Brad and Louis will publish their fourth novel, "The Crooked Door," in April 2023 (and he hopes you'll buy a copy). Brad lives in Ponca City with his wife, Alisha, a sixth-grade reading and film history teacher, and his stepdaughter, Chloe, a superhero gymnast, dancer, and professional Minecrafter.

The second edition of "Fire Protection Publications Public Information Officer" provides basic skills and awareness training for fire department PIOs. The purpose of this manual is to provide an overview of the skills and knowledge a PIO needs to perform the diverse and demanding tasks associated with this position. The manual prepares the PIO in training to meet the job performance requirements of NFPA 1035, Standard on Fire and Life Safety Educator, Public Information Officer, Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist and Youth Firesetter Program Manager Professional Qualifications (2015).

The scope of this manual addresses the PIO’s role in disseminating public information, increasing community preparedness, exercising social media responsibilities, and assisting the Incident Commander at an emergency scene. This manual discusses the PIO’s relationship with internal and external stakeholders, as well as opportunities to strengthen this relationship through community outreach and public information programs. Other topics include relevant laws/policies, effective written and public speaking skills, and how to work successfully with the media.

URL: https://library-dep.okstate.edu/news/celebratingbooks/2022-honorees/brad-mclelland

Last Updated: 2 March 2022