Press releases should be prepared for the media by the:

• A. Incident commander
• B. Public Information Officer
• C. Safety Officer
• D. Fire Marshal

Answer: (B)

Public Information Officer is the designated person responsible for communicating with the media and the public. They gather information from incident command and other units, verify it, and craft clear, accurate press releases and statements. This role ensures messaging is consistent, timely, and appropriate for the situation, while coordinating with media inquiries and avoiding speculation or leaks of sensitive details. The incident commander oversees the overall incident strategy and resource management, and may speak about decisions, but does not typically handle formal press releases. The safety officer focuses on safety conditions and risk reduction rather than media messaging, and the fire marshal handles investigations and code-related matters. For effective public communication during incidents, the Public Information Officer is the correct choice.