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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

The wrong hashtag and checking official accounts – Safety-PIO-SM-14-005

Posted on September 15, 2014 by rusnivek

14-005: The wrong hashtag and checking official accounts
Agency: TEEX	Topic(s): Official accounts and hashtags
Date: Fall 2014	Platform: Twitter

Citing the original source of information is a solid idea on Twitter. But citing the correct source with the correct Twitter handle is even more important. That’s what Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) did when they tweeted information about a gym bag/emergency preparedness kit.

The use of the wrong hashtag will drive your audience away from national trends. Remember, the general idea behind the hashtag is to help bring together trending posts especially this month because September is National Preparedness Month. My. Favorite. Month.

A quick search of “#Prepared2014” shows tens of thousands of tweets.

A search using “#BePrepared2014” yielded 13 tweets.

Those two letters really do make a difference. A big difference.

Also, when citing sources, make sure they are current agency accounts. The @readydotgov account has tweeted twice in 2014 and has 396 followers.

It also states in the description box “please follow us @Readygov”

The verified @Readygov Twitter account has 3,000 tweets with almost 90,000 followers and has been tweeting since August 2008.

No matter how good your communications plans are, your mechanical no-look cut/paste actions must be double checked every time. It takes five seconds to check. Additionally, you stand the possibility of your readers questioning the validity of your information when they see that you posted old/not used stuff.

A more effective tweet could have read:

If you can pack a gym bag, you can pack an emergency bag: ow.ly/i/4Eui3 #Prepared2014 #NatlPrep @ReadyGov @AnaheimCERT

By phrasing it this way:

You cite FEMA’s main current preparedness Twitter account (@ReadyGov).
You use the correct national hashtag to increase visibility in your message (#Prepared2014).
You add additional hashtags to help pair your efforts with national campaign themes in your message.
You cite the right agency accounts on Twitter which will help them gain visibility with your audience.
Your agency shows coordinated efforts with national response agencies when you use @mentions on twitter.

Time is valuable, so tweet good stuff.

@rusnivek

***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this:

TheWrongHashtagAndCheckingOfficialAccounts-Safety-PIO-SM-14-005a

Powerful recruitment tool for terrorist groups #SMEM

Posted on September 6, 2014 by rusnivek

Quote for today by the US State Department:

“The State Department regards social media as a powerful recruitment tool for terrorist groups…”

Peeps! Know the power of social media and use your social media powers for good.

The latest offering from the US State Department – Think Again Turn Away

Counter bad stuff and show the truth about this evil group

Always remember DHS’ line, See Something, Say Something

@rusnivek

A lonely shortened Facebook link on Twitter – Safety-PIO-SM-14-004

Posted on August 29, 2014 by rusnivek

14-004: A lonely shortened Facebook link on Twitter
Agency: South Central Sierra Interagency IMT	Topic(s): Shared information/update
Date: Summer 2014	Platform: Twitter

Speed is primarily the reason why everyone loves social media…especially Twitter. Many agencies use social media to provide updates and information when assigned to certain incidents. That’s what the South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team did during the French Fire in California when they pushed this lonely shortened Facebook link out on Twitter.

I get that 140 character max on Twitter is short…and you have lots to say…and you don’t have time…and blah blah blah. Everyone else doesn’t have time too. But pushing a non-descript link, does raise a concern that perhaps your account has been compromised by spam bots. Your agency has worked diligently to establish solid working relationships. During an emergency is the WORST time for your audience to question and/or ignore your official accounts with trusted reliable information.

If your social media plan calls for directing all efforts to Facebook as the primary source of information, a Public Information Officer (PIO) should still take the time to provide a little information (like a short description) on other platforms driving the traffic to that primary source. Providing just a link is not enough.

In the PIO business, we are forced to be precise, however just providing a link pertaining to a dangerous situation or disasters will not be enough to satiate the Twittersphere’s social interest.

Audiences change on various social media platforms, however, many agencies *think* they are all the same.

Knowing your audience is the hallmark of success. If you pair your Facebook and Twitter accounts to save time and to pass the exact same message – you should consider separating them now. Remember, you write/post/share information differently on various social media platforms .

A more effective tweet could have read:

Still assigned to the French Fire here in California-Check out pictures frm @BLMNational Interagency Fire fb.me/1BV35Tytx #CAWildfire

By phrasing it this way:

You have more visibility by informing your followers that your team is still assigned to the incident.
The link looks less spammy and readers know what the specific content is in the link.
Your #hashtag will give more information about the current overall disaster/emergency.
Your readers are likely to click on this hyperlink because it will take them to a picture. People love pictures.
Your agency shows coordinated efforts with national response agencies when you use @mentions on twitter.

Time is valuable, so tweet good stuff.

@rusnivek

***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this: ALonelyShortenedFacebookLinkOnTwitter-Safety-PIO-SM-14-004a

Presenting some social media magic here in Ashtabula

Posted on August 28, 2014 by rusnivek

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.

@rusnivek

Great start to today’s OEMA social media class

Posted on August 27, 2014 by rusnivek

Another great morning here at the State of Ohio Emergency Operations Center.

Various agencies from all over the state in attendance at today’s social media class.

Special thanks to Ohio EMA Assistant Director Sima Merick for the welcome message.

Now to break down more info and tools on how effective PIOs (Public Information Officers) or PAOs (Public Affair Officers) engage on social media.

Excited to be instructing a bunch of PIOs today.

@rusnivek

Made the evening news in Wisconsin

Posted on August 20, 2014 by rusnivek

Made the news in Wisconsin.

Looks like I’m going to owe many many root beer floats when I get back to Ohio.

@rusnivek

Write For Different Platforms-Safety-PIO-SM-14-003

Posted on August 15, 2014 by rusnivek

14-003: Write for Different Platforms
Agency: Rocky Mountain Area IMT	Topic(s): Social Media Platform Specific Messaging
Date: Summer 2014	Platform(s): Press Release vs Twitter

Despite the message being essentially the same, every communications platform is different.

Speed is important, but correctly addressing your audience is critical in the world of public information.

On July 1, 2014, this tweet was posted on the Rocky Mountain Area Incident Management Team’s feed during the Eightmile Fire while deployed in Canon City, Colorado.

“FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE” In all caps? All caps use on social media portrays yelling. Professionals should portray calm/control.

Twitter’s social media platform premise is a fast microblog service focusing on immediate information. This templated press release lingo (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) is not necessary. Every tweet is automatically time/date stamped including matching the recipients’ time zone. Do not waste your valuable 140 characters.

To me, this was a cut-and-paste action, or even worse yet, they just linked the agency’s Facebook and Twitter accounts together. No time was spent in addressing the various platforms used to push this valuable information. Remember, PIO actions on each platform in social media are not generic, they are specific. We talk about safety to kids differently than we inform adults on safety right? Likewise, we should address our audiences on social media accordingly to the platform they use.

A more effective tweet could have read:

“Updated information & stats on the #Eightmile Fire ongoing in Colorado can be found here fb.me/6KArLmgFr ”

By phrasing it this way:

The tweet is shorter and more concise.
Tweet identifies where the Rocky Mountain Area Incident Management Team is deployed.
The main point of contact is identified on the Facebook link provided if more specific information is needed.
Shorter messaging will allow your followers to retweet/repost and amplify your information.
The use of hashtags will help audiences find information about the #Eightmile Fire and identify the Rocky Mountain Area Incident Management Team as a trusted source of information.

Know the differences in mainstream social media platforms because what will work on one old platform (press release) will NOT work on newer platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc…) Know social media and use their amenities to your advantage.

Time is valuable, so post good stuff.

@rusnivek

***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this: WriteForDifferentPlatforms-Safety-PIO-SM-14-003

Presenting at PEMA statewide conference in September

Posted on August 5, 2014 by rusnivek

Looks like I’ll be presenting Public Information Officer (PIO) / Social Media stuff at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) statewide conference in September.

Region-III baby!

http://www.pema.pa.gov/Pages/2014-Conference.aspx

http://www.pema.pa.gov/Pages/Default.aspx#.U-D3psJ0xJQ

Will I see you there?

@rusnivek

August is all about Region V

Posted on August 2, 2014 by rusnivek

After a quick visit to the White House in July, I realized that August will also be a busy month.

Akron, Columbus, Wauseon, Wisconsin, then back to Columbus and then to Geneva.

So yes, all month I will be in FEMA Region-V.

If all goes well, September will include several trips to Region-III, but I’ll keep you posted.

Keep your head down peeps.

@rusnivek

Precise Emergency Messaging Safety-PIO-SM-14-002

Posted on August 1, 2014 by rusnivek

14-002: Precise Emergency Messaging
Agency: Indianapolis Motor Speedway	Topic(s): Emergency Messaging
Date: Summer 2014	Platform: General

Mass notification and public messaging about dangerous inbound weather is the latest hot button topic in emergency management because no matter the location, everyone is susceptible. This year has been especially deadly with numerous tornadoes.

You can argue the use of automatic Emergency Alert System (EAS), Integrated Public Alert & Warning System’s (iPAWS) messages, and public address systems are good enough, but successful delivery still comes down to basic messaging.

On May 25, 2014, this message was put up on the main billboard on the field during the Indianapolis 500, which had 300,000+ fans during race time. The National Weather Service (NWS) declared a Tornado Warning before the start of the race.

Race Fans? C’mon, you have a captive audience at the motor speedway. And you are addressing everyone there, not just race fans. Most likely, your audience is saying “Great, now what is a Tornado Warning?”

Clear and concise messaging is incredibly important because seconds will matter in an immediate evacuation or leading others to shelter…especially with large, open, and unprotected public venues. This particular message was unclear, poorly worded, and definitely not concise.

A more effective messaging and follow-up post should have read:

DANGER! TORNADO WARNING NOW – SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY!

Safe SHELTERS are located at AREA X and GATE X

By phrasing it this way:

1. Your message is short, sweet, and to the point.

2. Capital letters will grab the attention of your audience and convey urgency.

3. Have clearly identified safe locations IN CAPITAL LETTERS will assist those reading your message.

4. Shorter messaging could allow your followers to retweet/repost and amplify your emergency messaging.

5. It is still tornado season so make sure you are prepared by having pre-scripted messages on “what is a tornado warning” and messaging on how to “shelter-in-place”.

All concurrent Tweets, Facebook posts, Instagram posts, etc. should reflect this messaging. If a Tornado warning is issued, timing is of the essence. Do not be lax when it comes to emergency messaging because you don’t want to ruin the fun. For the sake of your constituents, it is better to error on the side of safety.

Time is valuable, so post good stuff.

@rusnivek

***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this: Safety-PIO-SM-14-001