Good to have Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) Assistant Director Sima Merick and OEMA Deputy Director Russ Decker welcome our PIO/SM class today at the state EOC.
After lunch, OEMA Public Information Officer (PIO) Jay Carey brief our attending PIOs here in the state Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Working the PIO magic!
I had a GREAT time at the Hamilton County Emergency Operations Center aka the ROC.
Much mahalos to Barry and his crews for the hospitality.
Looking forward to returning in about a month to debut a new FEMA project.
| 15-002: Tornado or ICBM launch? | |
| Agency: ReadyOC | Topic(s): Picture and hashtag use |
| Date: 02-13-15 | Platform: Instagram |
Pictures are such an important part of every social media post. Instagram is mainly based on pictures and hashtags to engage all users. This was evident when Orange County’s Emergency Preparedness team posted this on their Instagram feed.
To the untrained eye, it does seem like a severe microstorm/cloud/tornado. However, the picture shows a launch of a rocket pulled from google images or desktop computer wallpaper. Furthermore, this post could also be misconstrewed as a missile/ICBM launch or an attack on US soil.
Finding original content is tough, but professionals take the time to discern the little details in the pictures to showcase the safety theme and share actionable information. It is our duty to correctly inform the public on dangers that we encounter. We also must strive to provide actionable information with our engagement digital strategies.
If ReadyOC used the correct picture of a tornado, adding safety tips to the post (like those featured below) could have enhanced their theme.
“Monitor weather reports provided by your local media. #NWS #NOAA #Tornado #Prepared2015”
or
“If there is a power outage, have extra batteries for a battery-operated radio and your cell phone including your cell phone charger #Tornado #Prepared2015”
or
“Consider buying a NOAA Weather Radio/All Hazards receiver, which receives broadcast alerts directly from the National Weather Service #NWS #Tornado #Prepared2015”
Right now, the hashtag #photography is unnecessary because it doesn’t relate to the post. Remember social media, especially Instagram, is a visual medium. Your reader’s Instagram feed space is at a premium.
By laying it out this way:
Time is valuable, so gram good stuff.
To download the one-pager, click on the link here: Safety-PIO-SM-15-002-TornadoOrICBMLaunch
For all my preparedness peeps and PIO planners out there…
Hope this makes your life tons easier.
Special thanks to the Ready.Gov team at FEMA!
It’s interesting on how various cultures around the world approach the delivered message.
As an example, this type of delivery would never work in the US.
Public Information Officers (PIOs) and Public Affairs Officers (PAOS) must understand significant differences when delivering messages to areas who are culturally diverse.
Your thoughts on the Korean Air President’s comment? “Daughter’s foolish conduct”
(In a few other reports, his message was translated as “Please scold me. It is my fault”)
Great quote from US Attorney General Eric Holder last night as he was interrupted by protestors in a church in Atlanta.
Photo credit: CNN
“There will be a tendency on the part of some to condemn what we just saw, but we should not,” Holder said. “What we saw there was a genuine expression of concern and involvement. And it is through that level of involvement, that level of concern and I hope a level of perseverance and commitment, that change ultimately will come.
Photo credit: CNN
Perhaps retool it a bit so every PIO has this canned message ready to go:
“There will be some that will frown upon what we just saw, but we should not. In fact, what we really saw there was a genuine expression of concern and involvement. Because, this is America…and that is what we do. We are a nation of change led by engagement. By the people, for the people.”
I even included a little bit of the Gettysburg Address in there. #Merica
*cut* *paste* *print* *ready*
You are welcome.
After a busy November, let’s continue the push hard into December please!
This Wednesday, I’ll be headed to Michigan to teach with FEMA Region-5 on continuity.
Upon the return to Ohio, I’ll make the quick turnaround and head down to southern Ohio/West Virginia to teach ICS-300. A double serving of Region-5 and Region-3.
Then head to Fulton County, Ohio (Toledo area) to teach a Basic PIO course with my favorite PIOs in the biz. Back in Region-5 baby!
The Oregon trip was canceled so No Region-10 for me. Boooooooooooooooo. But ongoing through December, I have two priority special projects for R9 and R5 that need to close too. So no futzing around!
December summary: Yes on 5, 3, and 9…but no on 10.
I’m just hoping to spend some family time sometime. Happy holidays everyone!
| 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:
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
Where is @rusnivek? 