Community Liaison Officer

Scope

The Community Liaison Officer (CLO) is responsible for ensuring information and warnings are disseminated to affected communities. In addition to this the CLO is responsible for managing Community Field Liaison Officers (CFLOs) and Rural Field Liaison Officers (RFLOs) and acting as the conduit between the community and the Incident Management Team (IMT).

Fundamental Protocols underpin the actions of all NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) members and must be adhered to at all times. They outline the Principles of being an RFS member and provide guidance on conduct to support the safety and wellbeing of members.

Key Accountabilities

• Assist the Public Information Officer (PIO) with any tasks required in the communication of information to key stakeholders.
• In consultation with the PIO, prepare communication material for Incident Controller (IC) approval and distribution to affected communities relating to the incident/s being managed by the IMT.
• In consultation with the PIO, establish a communications schedule based on the Public Liaison Plan (PLP), prognosis and threats.
• Maintain knowledge of current and forecast weather conditions, fire conditions, firefighting activities and affected communities.
• Maintain an understanding of the information and warnings for affected communities.
• Coordinate and manage community meetings for the dissemination of information on current and future issues for affected communities.
• Manage and liaise with CFLOs and RFLOs when activated.
• Ensure CFLOs and RFLOs are appropriately equipped, informed and prepared to safely undertake their taskings.
• Maintain awareness of CFLOs and RFLOs movements, logging regular Situation Reports (Sitreps) and taking actions as required.
• Ensure dynamic risk assessments (DRAs) of all meeting locations are undertaken by the Community Field Liaison Officers (CFLOs).
• Ensure that all information disseminated to affected communities is timely, tailored and
  relevant.
• In consultation with the PIO, ensure the most appropriate communication methods are utilised to disseminate information to affected communities.
• Review the PLP and identify at risk communities or communities requiring altered/additional communications.
• Liaise with the Media Liaison Officer (MLO) to ensure all information disseminated by the IMT is consistent.
• Provide updates to the PIO on incident and community issues both real and perceived.
• Respond to enquiries from the community regarding requests for information and warnings.
• Maintain an operational log book and incident specific information within ICON.

Special Considerations

• The CLO reports to the PIO and fills in for the PIO when required.
• The CLO manages the CFLOs and RFLOs who all report to this position.

Related Information

• Nil