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Lessons Learned as a PIO
May 15, 2019 @ 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Communicating on behalf of a public safety agency can be challenging. Janel Vasallo, public information officer for the Lakeland Fire Department, will draw upon her experiences and offer insightful tips for professionals working in public relations with limited resources. She will be joined by Robin Tillett, PIO for the Lakeland Police Department. Janel and Robin will share how they’ve had to be creative and think outside the box when it comes to providing positive public relations, community education and responding to media during emergency events.
Registration ends Monday, May 13.
About the Presenter:
Janel Vasallo is the Public Relations and Information Manager for the Lakeland Fire Department (LFD). She has been with the department since 2013. Born and raised in South Florida to Cuban parents; Janel is bilingual. Janel settled in Polk County after graduating from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Anthropology and History. She worked at Polk County Public Schools as a Social Studies teacher and Department Chair, prior to pursuing a Master’s Degree in Public Health from Florida International University. She then went on to work as a project manager and educator for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection before transitioning into her current career in marketing and communications. Janel has always worked in the public sector, and credits her diverse educational background and career opportunities for preparing her for the exciting and meaningful work she currently does communicating the value of public safety and the Lakeland Fire Department.