Communications Built by a Firefighter, for the Fire Service
When the tones drop and the cameras follow, your department needs a communications partner who has lived the mission. Bold Thinkers Group was founded by a former firefighter and delivers FEMA-aligned crisis communications, PIO training, and media relations built specifically for the fire service.
The Communication Challenges Fire Departments Face
Fire departments operate under life-and-death pressure where every communication decision can impact firefighter safety, community trust, and department reputation. Many of these challenges overlap with those faced by law enforcement and government agencies.
Line-of-Duty Death Communications
LODD events are the most emotionally difficult communications scenario any fire department faces. Without a structured protocol, departments risk compounding grief with misinformation, media intrusion, and fractured messaging during the most critical hours.
Wildfire & Disaster Response Communications
Extended wildfire operations, structure fires with casualties, and natural disasters require sustained, multi-agency communication over days or weeks. Conflicting information between agencies erodes public confidence and complicates evacuation efforts.
Social Media & Public Perception
A single viral video, a dramatic rescue or a perceived misstep, can define your department overnight. Without trained social media protocols, departments lose control of the narrative to commenters, critics, and misinformation.
Mutual Aid & Inter-Agency Coordination
Joint operations with law enforcement, EMS, and neighboring departments demand unified messaging. When multiple PIOs are speaking for different agencies, inconsistent messaging creates confusion for media and the public.
How Bold Thinkers Group Serves the Fire Service
Our founder is a former firefighter with FEMA MPIO certification and real-world emergency response experience. We bring that firsthand understanding to every engagement.
Crisis Communications
FEMA-aligned crisis communication support for fire departments. LODD protocols, on-scene media management, wildfire communications, and rapid-response support when your department needs it most.
Learn MorePIO Training
Scenario-based PIO training built for the fire service, covering on-scene media management, LODD communications, social media during active incidents, press conferences, and NIMS/ICS communication integration.
Learn MoreMedia Relations & Training
Prepare your fire chiefs, battalion chiefs, and designated PIOs for high-pressure media interactions including live on-scene interviews, press conferences, and investigative reporting.
Learn MoreWeb Design & Recruitment Marketing
Modern, mobile-optimized department websites with recruitment portals, community risk reduction content, incident information pages, and career path showcases that attract the next generation of firefighters.
Learn MoreProven at Florida's Largest Fire Service Stage
Bold Thinkers Group designed and built fapio.pio.training for the FAPIO / Florida Fire Chiefs' Association Advanced PIO Skills Workshop at the Florida Fire & EMS Conference in January 2026. The program included a 4-hour immersive tabletop exercise, and BTG co-proctored the workshop alongside FAPIO's instruction team.
Workshop Duration
Tabletop Exercise
Partnership
Department-Level Training Curriculum
Executive and spokesperson work lives at media training. The public-safety credential track is PIO training. Departments assessing readiness can start with the LODD Communications Readiness Checklist.
Line-of-duty death communications
The hardest message a department ever sends. Protocols, sequencing, and family-first coordination guide every step.
Media relations and on-camera readiness
Interview preparation for chiefs and PIOs, from message development to hostile questions.
JIC and JIS coordination
Joint information work for mutual aid and multi-agency incidents.
Social media during incidents
Managing the public narrative while the incident is still moving.
Mock-interview drills with playback
On-camera practice, reviewed on tape until the message holds.
On-location advanced tabletop exercises
In-person instructors run the room while Hey Cass, our AI public information platform, drives the scenario injects.
Why the Fire Service Works With Us
Bold Thinkers Group comes from the fire service. We have worked the incidents we now train departments to communicate through.
FEMA MPIO Certified
Federal Emergency Management Agency Master Public Information Officer, the highest PIO certification standard for fire service crisis communications and emergency management.
Emmy Award-Winning
Award-winning media production and storytelling. We bring the same creative standard to fire service communications, recruitment videos, and department narratives.
First Responder Owned
Founded by a former firefighter (Pasco County Fire Rescue) who has lived the mission, worked the incidents, and understands the fire service from the inside out.
ADA/WCAG Compliant
Every website we build meets accessibility standards, essential for fire departments serving all communities and meeting government compliance requirements.
How Departments Work With Us
Engagements range from single-day department workshops to annual training partnerships, and every engagement is scoped on a call.
Book a CallFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about crisis communications and PIO training for fire departments.
Related Resources
Specialized communications resources for fire departments and fire-rescue agencies.
Crisis Communications
FEMA-aligned crisis support for LODD events, wildfire operations, and fire department emergencies.
Learn MorePIO Training
Scenario-based PIO training designed specifically for fire service communicators.
Learn MorePublic Relations
Media relations and spokesperson training for fire chiefs and department PIOs.
Learn MoreHow to Create a Crisis Communication Plan
Crisis planning frameworks adaptable for fire departments and fire districts.
Learn MoreMedia Interview Training
Prepare fire service leaders for on-camera interviews and press conferences.
Learn MoreLaw Enforcement
Communications for law enforcement agencies that work alongside fire departments.
Learn MoreGovernment & Public Sector
Communications for the government agencies that fund and oversee fire services.
Learn MoreFire Service Glossary
Definitions for LODD, ICS, NIMS, PIO, and fire service communications terminology.
Learn MoreReady to Strengthen Your Department's Communications?
Whether you need a crisis communications plan, PIO training for your team, or a website that drives recruitment, Bold Thinkers Group is ready to serve your department. We also support law enforcement and government agencies. Schedule a briefing today.
Schedule a BriefingConfidential consultation. No obligation. Or call (813) 797-5004