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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – The Pelham Police Department is inviting public safety professionals from across the region to a free Media Relations Training class on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pelham Police Department Headquarters, located at 32 Phillip Davis Street.

The one-day course will be led by Rick Rosenthal, a nationally recognized media relations trainer and consultant with more than 30 years of experience as a television and radio news anchor and reporter. Over the past three decades, Rosenthal has trained thousands of emergency management, law enforcement and fire professionals nationwide—equipping them with strategies to communicate effectively and confidently with the media.

According to Detective Iliana Hayakahua with Pelham PD, the department chose to host the training because many public safety professionals tend to avoid or feel uneasy around the media.

“Recognizing that media engagement is inevitable, we wanted to offer practical training to help professionals become more comfortable and effective in dealing with the media,” Hayakahua said. “The goal is to improve both media and public relations.”

The hands-on program is designed for a wide range of emergency management and public safety leaders, including EMA directors, police chiefs, sheriffs, command staff, supervisors, incident commanders and public information officers.

Attendees will gain practical skills to:

– Take control in interviews and at incident scenes

– Manage day-to-day inquiries and full-scale critical incidents

– Apply real-world strategies that work immediately in the field

– Turn media engagement into an advantage rather than a liability

Rosenthal’s training will include interactive discussions and video-based examples covering topics such as:

– “Meeting the 900-pound gorilla”

– The “DWI” principle of successful media relations

– “Feeding the animals” on your own terms

– Controlling the media at incident scenes

– Avoiding the trap of “Don’t get stuck on stupid”

“Media relations training directly benefits day-to-day operations by teaching staff how to deal effectively with reporters,” Hayakahua said. “By learning how to take charge and manage the media at incident scenes, agencies like Pelham PD can ensure their message is accurately conveyed and minimize operational disruptions.”

Hayakahua noted that strengthening communication skills also improves trust between law enforcement and the public.

“When law enforcement communicates clearly and credibly through the media, it strengthens relationships with the community and ensures that accurate information is shared—even during high-pressure situations,” she said.

Pelham’s reputation for professionalism and regional collaboration made it a fitting location for the event, Hayakahua added.

“The department has already received confirmations from agencies outside Shelby County,” she said. “By offering this high-quality training free of charge, we’re helping remove barriers for participation and fostering stronger public safety networks across the region.”

Seats for the class are limited, and early registration is encouraged. Those interested can contact Cjohnson@pelhamalabama.gov to sign up.