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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Its dangerous working with prop aircraft use #NatlPrep

Posted on September 9, 2015 by rusnivek

It’s dangerous working with propeller aircraft use #NatlPrep

No joke-do not walk into the props!

Safety is always the first priority when doing air operations of any kind.

The general public should take the time to watch the news and find out the areas that have active air operations. Stay clear of those areas.

Also probably a good time to remind you about these things.

Don’t wait. Communicate. Make your emergency plan today.

@rusnivek

Doctor! Doctor! Give me the news!

Posted on August 18, 2015 by rusnivek

Doctor! Doctor! Give me the news!

It was outstanding to see one of my all-time favorite ER Docs today in the Emergency Department – ladies and gents, I give you the prestigious Dr. Larry Glaude!

Many of you know that in public safety, friendships are forged that last a lifetime…and Dr. Glaude is a great example. So many great memories and of course epic stories to tell!

@rusnivek

Terrorism has no place in a civilized world

Posted on January 7, 2015 by rusnivek

Thoughts and prayers to everyone who involved with the egregious attacks in Paris today. Terrorism has no place in a civilized world.

Photo credit: AP Photo/Thibault Camus

Back here in the US, good reminder for everyone: “If you see something, say something” – Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

@rusnivek

Logo change is NOT breaking news

Posted on January 2, 2015 by rusnivek

In my opinion, a logo change is not enough for “Breaking news” today.

Even if you are a blue chip stock or iconic brand, I really don’t care. I’m pretty sure no one else cares either.

Stop diluting the term “Breaking news” now. Stop crying wolf.

Also another fun tip: if you are going to post a screen shot, be mindful of what other tabs are open in your browser.

@rusnivek

News already onscene

Posted on December 9, 2014 by rusnivek

You know it’s going to be a long evening when you get out of your vehicle for the MVA and the news van is already parked, mast up, and streaming live.

Bonus points to the crews because they have their hazard lights on.

#SafetySur

@rusnivek

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

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