Communications

Own the Message: Strategic Social Media for Public Safety

Use social media as an operational communication tool, build a consistent voice, explain agency work, and strengthen public trust before the next critical incident.

Course Details

Course Overview

Practical Context Before the Next Decision.

This course shows public safety agencies how to use social media as an ongoing operational communication tool, not merely a place to post announcements. Participants learn how to plan useful content, communicate with a consistent voice, explain agency work, respond to emerging issues, and avoid common mistakes that undermine credibility. Attendees leave with a practical framework for building public understanding and trust before the next critical incident occurs.

Designed ForPublic safety and municipal leaders
Format1 day
Course AreaCommunications

Course Focus

Building a consistent communication strategyEffective content developmentAvoiding common messaging pitfallsStrengthening public trust

Instruction

Meet the Practitioners Leading This Course.

Course leadership is matched to the subject and grounded in direct professional experience.

Matt Petrillo headshot
Instructor of Crisis and Strategic Communications

Matt Petrillo

Matt Petrillo is Director of Communications for Temple University's Department of Public Safety. He previously spent more than a decade in television journalism, including reporting for CBS News Philadelphia on breaking news, crime, public safety, and major incidents. That combination gives him firsthand knowledge of how information is gathered, framed, and distributed under pressure. Matt's instruction focuses on message discipline, media relations, internal coordination, strategic storytelling, and the choices that shape trust before, during, and after a crisis. He helps leaders understand what to say, when to say it, and how communication decisions affect operations and credibility.

Crisis Messaging, Media Relations, Public Narratives, and Organizational Credibility