Updated Statewide PIO contact list and training information

 Just a quick note to share the latest contact list and training information.  

 

1) 2025 Arizona First Responder PIO Roundtable. DPS is proud to announce the second annual Arizona First Responder PIO Roundtable on January 23, 2025 from 8:00 - 4:00 at 2222 W. Encanto Blvd., Phoenix. PIOs and supervisors of PIOs from law enforcement agencies (from all levels - local, county, state, and federal), military, fire departments, and prosecutor offices.  This training will feature a morning session from the same speaker as last year, Steve Gregory, and an afternoon revolving around case studies and the lessons learned from those experiences as well as group conversation about what PIOs are currently seeing, changes PIOs have had to make recently, and trends PIOs are seeing right now.  Lunch will be included and space is limited.  To register for this free event, please email AZDPS Public Information Supervisor, Sgt. Eric Andrews, at eandrews@azdps.gov.

 

2) PIO training. Training looks a little lean until a 5 day PIO training coming in January and a 3 day Basic PIO course coming up at the end March.  That is not unusual and the PIO training usually picks up later in the year.

 

3) PIO networking.  Many parts of the state have regional PIO groups.  Fantastic opportunity to connect with PIOs in your area who might be a great resource (or at least a good listener) for some regional issues. 

 

If you are in these areas, reach out to the PIO leads in your area to get connected; 

Tucson Public Sector Communicators: James Allerton, jallerton@flytucson.com

Cochise County area; (Carol Capas, ccapas@cochise.az.gov; Grady Butler, gbutler@cochise.az.gov)

Yavapai County  (John Heiney, john.heiney@prescott-az.gov; Sarah Townsley; Sarah.Townsley@yavapaiaz.gov )

Tri-state (AZ, NV,CA) area (Lance Ross, lross@crsk12.org); 

Yuma area (Tony Badilla, tony.badilla@yumacountyaz.gov).

East Valley PIOs (Brenda Carrasco, Brenda.carrasco@gilbertaz.gov)

West Valley Law Enforcement PIOs  . . .who is leading now? 

 

If you have a group in your area, please let me know.  I love to get out and join the regional meetings when my schedule permits.

 

4) PIO Contact list.  Attached is the updated statewide PIO contact list.  The list is divided into multiple tabs representing jurisdictional levels (city, county, federal, state and tribes) and specialties (law enforcement, fire, schools, utilities, etc). 

 

The PIO list is a great resource because you help keep it accurate.  If you have any edits to the list please reply to this email.  If you know of someone that should be added to the list, have them contact me. Send me your agency social media information if you would like it included.

 

5) Facebook group (Arizona PIOs).  The Arizona Information Officers Association maintains a Facebook PIO group (Arizona PIOs) to find the latest job openings, professional development opportunities and share your knowledge with peers looking for advice on best practices. This is a closed group, you need to be part of the statewide PIO list to join. If interested, send a friend request and if you are joining under a different name please inform Heather Murphy, heather.murphy@phoenix.gov, or Tamra Ingersoll, tingersollaz@arizona.edu.