What is the goal of "Public Information" in ICS?

The goal of "Public Information" in the Incident Command System (ICS) is to keep the public informed about the incident's status. This entails effectively communicating crucial information about what is happening during an incident, including safety instructions, updates on the situation, and any changes that may affect the public. Ensuring that the public is well-informed helps to reduce uncertainty and anxiety, promotes safety, and fosters trust in the authorities managing the incident.

Providing accurate and timely information is essential for maintaining transparency and effectively managing community concerns. It also plays a vital role in ensuring that the public knows how to respond or engage during an emergency. This proactive approach aids in mitigating misinformation and panic, which can occur without proper communication in the midst of an incident.

While controlling the narrative, gathering feedback, and handling media queries are important aspects of communication during an incident, they are secondary to the primary goal of keeping the public informed. The latter encompasses and supports the more specific communication functions.