Paul D. Raymond, Jr.

Husband & #GirlDad | Founder @PDR_Strategies | Vice-Chair @BestBuddies NH | Executive Public Information Officer | FEMA PIO Contract Instructor

[Paul D. Raymond, Jr. @PRaymondJr]

Another milestone for @PIOCalendar.

Last week: 500+ events listed since launch.

This week: search engines became the #1 referral source.

The community helped build awareness. Now communicators are finding the resource when searching for training and opportunities.

Thank you.

[PIOCalendar @PIOCalendar]

A new milestone for The PIO Calendar: Search engines are now the #1 referral source.

PIOs and communicators aren’t just seeing the calendar — they’re finding it when searching for training, conferences, webinars, and resources.

🔗 https://t.co/POiuB3dCFN

[Paul D. Raymond, Jr. @PRaymondJr]

Thank you to @nioa News Editor Don Kelly for the opportunity to share the story behind @PIOCalendar.

The goal has always been simple: help PIOs and communicators find training, connect with resources, and continue growing professionally.

Appreciate the support!

[PIOCalendar @PIOCalendar]

The PIO Calendar was featured in the May/June 2026 issue of @nioa News!

Thank you to NIOA News Editor Don Kelly for the opportunity to share the story behind the calendar and its mission to connect PIOs with trainings, conferences, and resources.

👉 https://t.co/CVqTafyu6P

[Mark Brady @PIOMarkBrady]

Additional seats are now available for the FEMA Advanced Public Information Officer (L0388) course in Romeoville, Illinois, just outside of Chicago.

This highly sought-after 5-day course is designed for experienced Public Information Officers who are ready to take their skills to the next level. Participants will gain advanced knowledge in Joint Information Center (JIC) operations, strategic communications, incident action planning, leadership, crisis communications, and participate in a challenging multi-day functional exercise.

June 22-26, 2026
Lewis University – St. Charles Borromeo North Campus
Romeoville, Illinois (Chicago area)

The Advanced PIO course is one of FEMA's premier public information programs and is intended for PIOs with at least two years of public information experience who have completed the required prerequisites.
If you've been waiting for an opportunity to attend the Advanced PIO course, now is the time to apply.

Apply here: https://t.co/hrc9QBgBLE

#PublicInformationOfficer #PIO #EmergencyManagement #CrisisCommunications #JointInformationCenter #FEMA #NDEMU #StrategicCommunications #IncidentManagement @rusnivek @ReadyIllinois @nioa @femaregion5 @NAGC @CFDMedia

[Paul D. Raymond, Jr. @PRaymondJr]

Amazing to see the continued growth of @PIOCalendar.

🚨 60 new events added this week
📅 278 upcoming opportunities listed

A great reminder of how many opportunities exist for PIOs & communicators to keep learning and improving.

Read the latest: https://t.co/3cfmHjL0wQ

[PIOCalendar @PIOCalendar]

🚨 Big week for The PIO Calendar!

60 new events added in the last 7 days.

Now featuring:
📅 278 upcoming opportunities
🌐 Virtual & in-person training
📢 Crisis Comms
🚨 Emergency Management
🎤 Media Relations

Read this week’s digest: https://t.co/eEAmZTC59x

[Paul D. Raymond, Jr. @PRaymondJr]

The best training opportunity is the one you actually hear about.

The Weekly Digest and Monthly Roundup from @PIOCalendar help communicators stay informed about classes, conferences, webinars, and industry trends.

It's free, and it's worth subscribing.

[PIOCalendar @PIOCalendar]

Two free email options from The PIO Calendar

📅 Weekly Digest: Quick updates on new events, training & upcoming opportunities.

📊 Monthly Roundup: Deeper insights, trends, featured opportunities & a summary.

Monday’s editions are coming soon: https://t.co/uCqs9FVqdU

[Robert Tornabene, P.I.O. @RobertTornabene]

I will be in Durham, NC to deliver MGT 318 Public Information in an All Hazard Incident Jul 7-8 for @teexagency. Hosted by @EMSDurham. To register go to https://t.co/0Qihr8vgbc

[Paul D. Raymond, Jr. @PRaymondJr]

Proud moment.

@PIOCalendar has now surpassed 500 events listed since launching on February 3.

Thank you to everyone who has submitted events, shared opportunities, and supported the project.

On to the next 500. @PDR_Strategies

[PIOCalendar @PIOCalendar]

🎉 Milestone Alert! The PIO Calendar has now listed 500+ events since launching on Feb. 3.

📚 Nearly 400 trainings
🎤 60+ conferences
💻 35+ webinars
🤝 5 networking events

https://t.co/i56uXjmi4D

[PIOCalendar @PIOCalendar]

🔥 As of 5/29, most viewed upcoming events on the PIO Calendar:

1️⃣ L0952 NIMS ICS All-Hazard PIO
Frankfort, KY
6/1-5 (NEXT WEEK)
2️⃣ @FEMA_NDEMU Executive PIO application deadline
Due 6/30
3️⃣ T-PUB4033 Texas Public Information Officer
Various locations

https://t.co/i56uXjmi4D

[PIOCalendar @PIOCalendar]

🚨 The Top 8 upcoming classes:

✅ @teexagency MGT-318 Public Information
✅ @fema L0105 Public Information Basics
✅ @FBILEEDA MPR
✅ FBI-LEEDA MPO
✅ @FEMA_NDEMU APIO
✅ @DisasterCTR PER-343 & PER-344 Social Media

260+ upcoming opportunities.

https://t.co/i56uXjmi4D

[PIOCalendar @PIOCalendar]

The PIO Calendar helps communicators find more than events.

Explore training providers, universities, consulting firms, professional organizations, public safety partners & more.

Find resources to help you succeed: https://t.co/QHOxk0HJG6

[PIOCalendar @PIOCalendar]

🚨 20+ new events just added to the PIO Calendar TODAY!

Including:
• @teexagency MGT-318
• @UT_LEIC PIO Essentials
• @UT_LEIC Master PIO
• #NEMTEC “Speak Calm Into Chaos”
• @DisasterCTR PER-343 & PER-344 social media classes
…and more.

https://t.co/POiuB3dCFN

[Mark Brady @PIOMarkBrady]

Recent L0388 @FEMA_NDEMU All Hazards PIO course in Orlando Florida at @UCF with @NicoleShuttsPIO @GatorLabDad @PRaymondJr @KalycaBecktel #BradHuffines and an amazing cast of 34 students that successfully completed the course. @PIOCalendar @ThePIOAcademy @nioa @NAGC @Emeaa_org

[The PIO Podcast @PIOPodcast]

Paul is our guest on the podcast this week. Paul created @PIOCalendar. What is coming down the line in training trends, what is new, and what should you be learning? Paul covers all of this and more in this week's episode, which airs on Wednesday!

[Paul D. Raymond, Jr. @PRaymondJr]

The print edition of Corrections Today unexpectedly arrived in my mailbox this weekend. A very cool surprise.

Proud of this article and thanks to @ACAinfo for publishing it.

“First 90 Days, First Impressions: The Corrections Communicator’s Role During Leadership Transitions.”

[PDR Strategies @PDR_Strategies]

PDR Strategies is proud to share that founder @PRaymondJr has published a new article in @ACAinfo's Corrections Today:

“First 90 Days, First Impressions: The Corrections Communicator’s Role During Leadership Transitions.”

@CorrectionsComm

[PIOCalendar @PIOCalendar]

Upcoming @FEMA_NDEMU Advanced Public Information Officer (APIO) classes are listed on the PIO Calendar.

📍 Emmitsburg, MD
📍 Romeoville, IL
📍 Williamsport, PA
📍 Raleigh, NC
📍 Bismarck, ND
📍 Las Cruces, NM

Browse APIO classes: https://t.co/JWr3t97R6E

[Mark Brady @PIOMarkBrady]

Our @FEMA_NDEMU PIO Program Manager @NicoleShuttsPIO says Congratulations to the 34 communicators who completed FEMA’s National Disaster and Emergency Management University’s Advanced Public Information Officer (APIO) course today, representing 32 from Florida, 1 from Texas, and 1 from California. Several are actively supporting communications planning and preparedness efforts for the upcoming World Cup, making this training even more impactful.

What a great week of learning, collaboration, networking, and sharing real-world experience. One of the best parts of APIO is that we don’t just teach; we learn from the incredible experience and perspectives the students bring into the room each day.

A huge thank you to Dr. Claire Knox, Director of UCF’s Master of Emergency and Crisis Management program, and her amazing team at the University of Central Florida for hosting us. Thank you as well to Porschica Griffith, State Training Officer and Education & Training Development Manager for Florida Division of Emergency Management, for requesting and supporting the training opportunity.

Special thanks as well to Executive PIO alumni guest speakers Joshua Holder, APR, EPIO and Sarah Lux, CPC-PIO, EPIO, PIO3-AH for sharing their experiences with the class.

And last but definitely not least, a HUGE THANK YOU to my AMAZING instructor team. I could never do any of this without them. Mark Brady Bryan Beaty, FEMA-EPIO, CPC-PIO, Brad Huffines, Paul D. Raymond, Jr., Kalyca Lynn Becktel, Ph.D., APR, APIO

Next stop: Illinois next month for our next APIO delivery!

For a full list of upcoming courses and information on how to apply, visit our website at https://t.co/x89bwvrT5k

[The PIO Podcast @PIOPodcast]

I am conducting research on AI adoption in public sector communications. If you can take a moment to complete this survey, if you work in public sector organizations. https://t.co/z7xJTCZY5S

[Mark Brady @PIOMarkBrady]

A weeklong @FEMA_NDEMU Advanced #PIO E0388 class starting on July 27, 2026 is currently accepting applications. Conducted on campus in Emmitsburg MD providing an excellent learning environment. You will make lifetime memories. Travel stipends are available. https://t.co/x89bwvrT5k

[Mark Brady @PIOMarkBrady]

Amazing week delivering the @FEMA_NDEMU Advanced PIO course in Orlando Florida. 34 students, including one each from Texas and California, did a fantastic job in getting the right information to the right people at the right time so the people can make right and informed decisions. Other instructors included @NicoleShuttsPIO @GatorLabDad @KalycaBecktel @PRaymondJr and #BradHuffines

[PIOCalendar @PIOCalendar]

📈 Featured events on The PIO Calendar are outperforming standard listings.

Last 30 days:
🔥 55x more clicks
🔥 +2,050% higher views
🔥 +80.9% higher CTR

Want more visibility for your conference, webinar, or training?

https://t.co/c4a6dMPa2m