After participating in the Emergency Social Data Summit remotely last summer (see my 30 Tweet Gems from Emergency Social Data Summit wrap-up post, I was thrilled to learn the public was invited to attend the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) Social Media in Emergency Management (SMEM) Camp yesterday in Alexandria, Va. I signed up as soon as I cleared the date.
Why? Of all the ways social media can make a positive difference in the lives of ordinary people, emergency management is one of the most important. Done right, SMEM is a mind-blowing emergency management force multipler. Done wrong or not done at all, however, can detonate a public relations nightmare.
As I first noted in my Exciting or Scary? Rise of Social Media Swarms post last May, we’re in the middle of communications renaissance. For the first time in history, each person has a voice that can be heard worldwide and then amplified exponentially if his/her conversation creates a buzz that turns into a swarm. In a disaster situation, these swarms could help rescue and comfort disaster survivors … or could attack and amplify the shortcomings of relief agencies and their people.
Yesterday, not only did I find SMEM Camp’s speakers, breakout sessions, and Twitter conversation fascinating, I enjoyed spending the day with a group of caring and committed people who encouraged (and didn’t consider rude) live tweeting. Below are the 40 tweets I found most compelling about emergency response in a Web 2.0 and mobile world (i.e., my picks are not operations oriented).
Social Media
- @saraestescohen FEMA Dep Admin Serino says “We are in the middle of an information revolution: – challenge is to bring everyone on board” #smem11
- @EmergCommNetwrk #smem 4 concepts: Listen, Establish Presence, Engage, Seek Feedback via @CherylBle @TheFireTracker2 #smem11
- @TheFireTracker2 #smem11 Social Media can also take pressure off finite internal IT resources for State/Local Govt by pushing info out onto public platforms
- @dlblack #smem11 @LosRanchosEM: build lists of local, state EMs and public entities & get them connected on socmed before crisis #nema11
- @TheFireTracker2 And if UR not engaged and trusted prior, results may be negative:: RT @kgfreeman: Public will put the info out there no matter what #smem11
- @Disaster_Guy Dawn raises very good point that ppl may call family or send them SM msg rather than 911 if they feel death may be imminent. #smem11
Public Outreach
- @NEMA_DC #smem11 “Real time is not fast enough…” That says a lot but it also leaves us with a lot of questions! Where do we go from here?
- @CyberlandGal People expect info so fast in a crisis, need filler info & updates on when info will come 2 maintain audience #smem11
- @DisasterManSC Yes diff mediums appeal to diff audiences meet them where they are RT @kgfreeman: Do you need a formal press release anymore from EM #smem11
- @CyberlandGal You need to use all #socialmedia channels & SMS in a crisis. Nixle helps & is free #smem11
- @TheFireTracker2 Push is one-way. Social media is two-way:: RT @kgfreeman: Push v pull of info: still talking about push #smem11
- @CyberlandGal PIOs tracking media can help verify accuracy of social media reports by verifying with old media coverage #smem11
- @CyberlandGal PIOs on social media end up helping with opps when public sends them photos & asks for help #smem11
Crowd Feeding
- @CraigatFEMA #SMEM11 how we view the public (victims or survivors) is key to how we approach #SMEM Is the public a resource? If so, do we listen?
- @kgfreeman People are your broadcasters, not news outlet #smem11
- @saraestescohen lesson from tech volunteer session at #smem11 – leverage NGOs and delegate responsibility for training and sustaining volunteers #smemchat
- @TheFireTracker2 #smem11 Documented: Even if you tweet something official, users will consult their trusted network FIRST, before taking action.
- @patricecloutier community at #smem11 … use SM to provide a credible platform for the public to provide valuable info … valuable to Em #smem11
- @CyberlandGal Everyone wants 2 help in disaster whether u want them 2 or not. Assign observations 2 help with operational awareness #smem11
- @kgfreeman Public info is self correcting #smem11
- @SoutholdVOICE RT @adams: #smem11 speaker gives wise reminder: quality of content and outcome more important than # of followers. #NEMA
- @patricecloutier community at #smem11 take care of your existing audience .don’t jeopardize existing relationships for getting more followers #smem11
- @TheFireTracker2 #smem11 With quality of engagement, the follower count will come. Focus on adding VALUE. And yes you still DO need a critical mass of fllwrs
- @TheFireTracker2 #smem11 Remember you can also use promoted tweets, like the Red Cross does in disaster, to amplify your message and get above the noise flr
- @CyberlandGal You can craft your tweets similar 2 how people would Google to actually have your tweet appear high in a Google search #smem11
Adoption
- @NEMA_DC #smem11 Strong mandate from EM leadership is critical for adoption. @CraigatFEMA proved that w/ attendance 2day but S&L ldrship is key too!
- @hazmatguru RT @patricecloutier use of SM by gov’t employees @ #smem11 if you trust me 2 manage emrgncies & save lives dont block SM, trust me to use it
- @TheFireTracker2 #smem11 Average age of a twitter user is 36 (Pew). Next excuse ??
- @GeoDataPolicy Reluctance to use social media stems from: lack of awareness; the speed of the media is threatening; it’s interactive. #SMEM11
- @TheFireTracker2 Threatens ILLUSION of control. Hint: it’s happening without you NOW. Better to engage:: RT @kgfreeman: Threat #smem11
- @kgfreeman Peer pressure may help make policy makers more likely to use sm #smem11
Internal Communications
- @shayneadamski #smem11 what I learned: some local EMA’s no longer do sit reps; some just do spot reports.
- @kgfreeman Sit rep, or spot check? How useful is info after 2h? #smem11
Equity
- @fema #smem11 As with all technology, social media needs to be **accessible to everyone** cc: @NeilMcD
- @rishoffman @neilmcd discussing use of social media for accessibility. Cheaper and easier to use soc media than to retrofit existing programs. #SMEM11
Technology
- @NEMA_DC This isn’t the field of dreams, ppl aren’t going to show up just bc you built this great platform via @sradick at #smem11
- @DisasterManSC RT @afabbri: Apps for first responders? Make sure first responders are involved in development otherwise you get cool tools unused #smem11
Miscellaneous
- @LosRanchosEM I’m told that we had 314 unique tweeters on #SMEM11 todaay #booyah!
- @cwardell wow…#smem11 is out-trending Liz Taylor in DC…we’re coming for you Rebecca Black
- @TheFireTracker2 #smem11 Factoid:: Over 500,000 users in Japan were added to Twitter in first 24hrs after the quake. All seeking time sensitive INFO
For more information on SEMA Camp, check out the Here’s what I learned at the SMEM camp: March, 2011 post by Kim Stephens, a breakout session moderator and iDisaster blogger; Notes in a Nutshell: Social Media #Policy Break-out Sessions at #SMEM11 from the GeodataPolicy blog; and the Quick update on the morning’s activities at the SMEM camp in D.C. post by crisis comms command post blogger Patrice Cloutier.
Which key tweets (or blog posts) did I miss? Help forward the conversation and share your favorites in the comments section.
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In awe of those tweets! Really cool!
Thanks for your comment. I hope you stop by again soon!