Heed to all emergency vehicles – Pull right for lights! #firefighter #Paramedic #EMS #EMT #safety
Quick reminder: Heed to all emergency vehicles
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Tag Archives: EMS
Safety-PIO-SM-14-010-Appropriate-for-Social-Media ?
| 14-010: Appropriate for Social Media? | |
| Agency: The back of the ambulance | Topic(s): Posting on SM |
| Date: Fall 2014 | Platform: Instagram |
At times, social media is very emotional and many users like to share intimate moments with all their followers. The reality of social media is great…except when it is done inappropriately. That’s just what Instagram user rnashleeyyy_xx did in the back of an ambulance.
“Love is in the air…” are great lyrics, however, I don’t believe this type of behavior is appropriate for an ambulance. This isn’t a hotel…real patient care occurs in the back of the ambulance! This is a professional environment. Keep it that way.
Also, I am fairly sure Zeus didn’t write that in his SOGs. No matter the justification, people will immediately judge and in the court of public opinion, these actions are not considered professional. And no, the caption/description will not deter or change focus as the visual image hits the news.
So basically, stop making out in the back of the ambulance.
The amount of stuff that happens back here is enough to scare an entire country. Infection control alone should be enough of a deterrent. Think about it.
Any agency on social media should have a social media strategy and a plan that includes guidelines on how employees should use social media and who they interact with. The plan can outline how members should conduct activities on social media as well as identify dangers on how, if used inappropriately, will reflect poorly upon the agency. No matter your threshold of acceptance or approval, monitor your employees use of social media. They are a direct reflection on your agency, your brand, and you.
General social media tips to keep in mind:
- Know what your employees are posting on social media platforms.
- Your employees are a direct representation of your brand/image on social media.
- The disclaimer “My views expressed here do not reflect my employer’s views” will NOT hold up in court.
- Regularly search for your agency’s name to monitor the online discussion(s).
- You work hard to build your brand on social media…Keep it that way.
Time is valuable, so tweet good stuff.
***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this file:
Safety-PIO-SM-14-010-Appropriate-for-Social-Media-a
So I guess this means…
So I guess this means this hydrant is out of service (OOS)?
Good grief.
@rusnviek
No complaining-offer solutions-Safety-PIO-SM-14-008
| 14-008: No complaining – offer solutions | |
| Agency: Long Beach Fire | Topic(s): Public Perception and Solutions |
| Date: Fall 2014 | Platform: Twitter |
Complaining or venting on social media is fairly common. However, as an official agency, public displays of affliction does not portray the best image. Long Beach Fire expressed some displeasure on Twitter when discussing the their pilot program.
After reading this tweet, the public’s perception is that if 9-1-1 is called, no ambulances will respond. This is irresponsible and wrong. (Almost all emergency services have mutual aid agreements or memorandum of understandings in place.)
Positioning your agency as a fear mongerer or the Harbinger of Evil will only further distance yourself from people who would be willing to help your cause. Inform them of dangers, but more importantly, engage them publically on social.
If there is internal displeasure with the new staffing models, be proactive and offer transparent solutions in the tweet. Cite websites that provide industry information. Publically share statistical data that supports changes with current programs. These online tactics will help direct and educate the general public on how to be better informed on other program and possible other options yet unexplored.
Additionally you can rally your constituents behind better initiatives by engaging with them publically via social media. It demonstrates that your department’s community involvement is a key part of a better solution.
As an official account, Twitter’s 140-character limit is really no place to moan/groan.
A more effective tweet could have read:
| LBFD resources are maxed out. #Firefighters cannot provide adequate #Paramedic service to our communities. Help us find a solution <insert link here> |
By phrasing it this way:
- You identify that resources are…well…maxed out.
- You use hashtags (#Firefighters and #Paramedic) that will help increase visibility in your tweets.
- You stress the importance of providing dedicated service to your community.
- You provide a traceable/measureable link that informs and helps bring visibility to this critical situation.
Time is valuable, so tweet good stuff.
***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this file:
Technical jargon and giving actionable information Safety-PIO-SM-14-006
| 14-006: Technical jargon and giving actionable information | |
| Agency: Chicago Fire Department | Topic(s): Industry codes / Actionable info |
| Date: Fall 2014 | Platform: Twitter |
Industry speak or technical jargon is part of what we do every day. But using technical terms on a social media platform will be confusing to those who are NOT in the fire service. That’s what the Chicago Fire Department did yesterday at their big 3-alarm fire when they tweeted technical jargon.
The use of technical jargon is rampant in emergency services but when speaking to the media or the general public, we need to remember that everyone did not grow up with a VOX alarm or SCU tones. In this case, a “311” or 3-11 alarm means that there are 11 engines, 5 Trucks, 2 Tower Ladders, 6 Battalion Chiefs, 1 Rescue Squad, 2 Ambulances, 2 Paramedic Chiefs, Deputy District Chief, Deputy Fire Commissioner, and the 1st Deputy Fire Commissioner are onscene. There is no way to include all that information in a tweet, but using more simple terms will help your audience understand the scale of your ongoing incident.
Before you post images, make sure your pictures are rotated correctly. I know accuracy is sometimes overlooked in lieu of speed, but it takes less than 5 seconds to orientate/rotate a picture (In this case, it was going to be a long operation). And note, by just rotating a picture does not equate that you are “doctoring up” photos. But a correctly posted photo will help media repost and format your information quicker to the masses.
During an emergency situation, your constituents need the information pushes to be actionable and specific to your audience. Not only inform them of the danger, but tell them what they can do about it.
A more effective tweet could have read:
| Chicago Fire: Large 3-alarm fire at Harrison St x Fifth Ave. Traffic delays-avoid the area. (insert two pictures) |
By phrasing it this way:
- You cite the authority having jurisdiction and established incident command presence.
- You generally described the size/category of the ongoing incident and critical information to media.
- You identify the exact location of the incident.
- You describe the delays in the area and give actionable information to your constituents.
- You still have lots of room to push properly orientated pictures with your informational tweet.
Time is valuable, so tweet good stuff.
***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this file:
TechnicalJargonAndGivingActionableInformation-Safety-PIO-SM-14-006
Support your local emergency services who are the backbone of every community in America #NatlPrep #Prepared2014
Solemn day in this second week in 2014 National Preparedness Month.
“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”
This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Know How To plan for specific needs before a Disaster.
#11: Support your local emergency services who are the backbone of every community in America #NatlPrep #Prepared2014
Do it….Get to know your local emergency services.
For those of you who have written plans, please share them with your local emergency services. Take your kids to the Fire Stations, Police Stations, and EMS Stations…teach them the importance of these essential services who will be first on the scene during an emergency.
Teach your kids how to call 9-1-1. Teach them that help will always be there.
And yes, it is your steadfast preparedness efforts that greatly contribute to the readiness of the US.
So take a moment today to reflect on one of the worst terrorist attacks in the history of the US. As a country, we will never stray from the freedoms that allow us to be the home of the brave.
I have sad, but great memories of my time at Ground Zero.
I’m honored to have been a part of this effort at the WTC.
I witnessed the resolve and resilience of everyone in New York City and across this great nation. This fierce American spirit should remind each of us of the importance of our disaster work we do every day.
I believe everyone in the world can remember what they were doing when they heard the news of the attacks in 2001. And now more than ever, we must take the steps to ensure our freedoms continue to ring for every single American.
Please honor those Firefighters and countless other heroes who have given their lives for our great nation.
Never give up. Never forget.
Looking forward to watching “A Good Job” with Brother Steve Buscemi #Firefighter
Presenting some social media magic here in Ashtabula
Did someone say “social media magic”? Heck yeah…and it’s right here in Ashtabula: the use of social media during disasters!
Making sure we cover the entire state, we hit Columbus yesterday and today, we are setup in the farthest NE corner of Ohio, Ashtabula County.
We are fortunate to have State of Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) PIO Tamara McBride (from Columbus) peek into the class and say hi to everyone.
Leveraging our current technologies during non-emergency times will help concrete our actions and increase our communications during disasters.
Looking forward to seeing some great progress and interaction in social media.
Additionally, it’s so nice to see old friends and colleagues from my past. Truly outstanding.
No matter wearing my flight helmet, my hospital shirt, my fire helmet, whatever….I’m just glad to see great friends again.
Correct typing starts early… #Tanker #Tender
No Tonka, according to the FEMA NIMS Typing, this is a Tender.
Ahem.
**Truth be told, I’ve mistakenly done this over the statewide radio. #oops
All-Hazardy participation and collaboration for flooding
Great first day in our flood course here at Ohio EMA in Columbus.
I am fortunate that the participants in this class have outstanding stories from previous declarations and experiences from local, state, and regional responses during emergency flooding.
Some have shared their 500 year flooding stories from just the past 7 years (and clearly, it’s time to revisit the categorization and re-term these floods).
Here, FEMA staff, Ohio EMA staff, Ohio National Guard, and local Fire/Rescue services collectively discuss creative options to better serve numerous vulnerable population communities during an emergency evacuation during flooding.
IMHO, I really enjoy seeing this type of All-Hazardy professionals at the table.
Collaborating early can only strengthen joint response during any disaster.
Where is @rusnivek? 