August 29, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (NIOA2001-01) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org MOBILE FIRE-RESCUE PIO TO LEAD NATIONAL GROUP Clearwater, Florida -- Steve Huffman, Public Information Officer for Mobile Fire-Rescue Department, officially took over as President of the National Information Officers Association (NIOA) Wednesday, August 29, 2001. The passing of the gavel ceremony took place at the annual training conference in Clearwater, Florida. Huffman will serve as the organizations President until August of 2002 and will serve another year after as Past President. Huffman has served on the board of directors for 4 years becoming the first and only, so far, Fire Service PIO to ever serve on the board. Huffman was elected Secretary of the organization in 1997 and was then elected Vice President in 2000. The NIOA has over 700 members throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia. Huffman has served the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department since 1985 and as PIO since 1990. The NIOA was founded in 1989 as the only national organization devoted exclusively to representing and meeting the needs of emergency services and public safety information officers. The NIOA promotes professionalism and encourages stronger media relations by providing educational information, training opportunities and regional support for the information officer. NIOA members are spokespersons from local, state and federal government, representing law enforcement, fire, medical, emergency management, transportation, public works and other public safety and emergency services agencies. For additional information on the NIOA visit http://www.nioa.org/ ###