How did the V/F PIN get started?
In the first exercise of its kind in the nation, public information officers from Volusia and Flagler counties attended the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Advanced Public Information Officer training in Emmitsburg, MD, in April 2004. These public information practitioners represented a wide range of agencies including city and county governments, law enforcement,
fire services, ambulance, hospitals, and public schools. They trained together and implemented a unified “mock” joint information center (JIC).

An end result of the Emmitsburg experience was the molding of a public information network that comes together during emergency incidents to provide mutual aid public information support to one another within the counties of Volusia and Flagler. It is formally known as the Volusia/Flagler Public Information Network (V/F PIN).

What is the main objective of the V/F PIN?
The main objective of the V/F PIN initiative is to ensure that public information practitioners from a wide variety of public agencies in the two-county region will collaborate on and coordinate public information by having a focused message to the public to avoid misinformation and miscommunication.

In addition, the PIN’s operating principle is that public information resources are available to support an incident’s lead agency/incident commander irrespective of agency boundaries.

A major task assignment coming out of the Emmitsburg training was to write a public information plan for the V/F PIN. The plan was completed in February 2005 and has been employed during subsequent incidents including hurricanes and wildfires.

How have V/F PIN members collaborated?
Since its formation, there have been several instances of V/F PIN members coordinating and working together on incidents involving multiple agencies and where there was a widespread public threat.

The PIN managed a “virtual” JIC during the back-to-back 2004 hurricanes – Charley, Frances and Jeanne.

What are the primary tools of the V/F PIN?
In 2005, the PIN launched its own web site www.volusia.org/PIN. During a disaster, this site includes information from
all the agencies involved in a response.

In 2007, the group revised the JIC plan to be compliant with the National Incident Management Systems, thereby creating
a Joint Information System (JIS) plan.

How do I get involved?
Today the Volusia/Flagler PIN consists of more than 40 active members who meet monthly to train, share ideas and discuss experiences. With each incident the PIN continues to improve, gain experience and refine its operating plan. The PIN meetings are the second Thursday of the month from 3 - 4:30 p.m.; locations vary. For more information, please contact Volusia County Community Information at (386) 822-5062 or vial e-mail to Sszafraniec@co.volusia.fl.us.

Activation information
To request public information support from the Volusia/Flagler PIN, the lead agency should page the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office public information office at (386) 691-2460 or Volusia County Community Information at (386) 691-0488.

Volusia/Flagler PIN fact sheet [pdf]