Throughout my career in emergency services, I taught numerous fire, hazardous materials, paramedical, and management courses, to large and small groups. Early in my career I realized that one method might work for one group, but not with another. Public speaking is not just getting up and talking in front of a group of people, it is also about reading your audience, preparing, preparing, and preparing. Preparation is reviewing the material, possibly creating handouts or other material, and de.