Just a quick reminder to reporters doing their live shots from the scene AND also PIOs/PAOs who are doing their own Periscope or FacebookLive broadcasts from the scene.
Remember in Periscope, once you start, you can’t just zoom in frame to exclude redic onscene jokesters.
Remember to think about an alternate broadcast site. Just in case.
Imagine running away (with a selfie stick in hand) to get a less distracting frame…
Love you lots on this rainy Thursday.
I was requested to support the Department of Homeland Security’s 2016 Science and Technology Cause-4 International Exercise between the United States and Canada today.
United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Public Safety Canada. Yep-international baby!!!!!
But crossing borders is more difficult than you think – esp when dealing with patient privacy, tactical operations, and coordinating efforts amongst ultra type-A personalities.
This is why training and exercising is so crucial to agencies who want to make a different in their communities they serve. This is also why Emergency Management is ideally a solid coordinating entity for this type of response.
In this particular international exercise, emergency response agencies are testing EMS response, transport information, sharing actionable data, social media, and a whole lots others stuff.
I’m just glad to be a small part of the work by so many people and agencies.
I am convinced that through joint exercises, we can build stronger core agencies and be better responsive to emerging threats and hazards.
“It is imperative that we enhance our all-hazards public safety partnerships.” – Kevin Sur.
In order to test Facebook Live, I figured I could just use it. On Tuesday 04-12-16 at 1330CST, I’ll be in Denver (Colorado) Airport and I’ll be on FacebookLive.
***Please post or send some questions to answer***
If all goes well, I might have a very special Emergency Manager drop in and join the fun.
It’s National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week 2016 (April 10th-16th)!
If you ever sat in a 9-1-1 call center/dispatch center, you know how difficult the job is for every one of these professionals.
I encourage you to take a moment to thank the voice on the other end of the radio.
I like the mountains…I like the clear blue skies…
Reporting live from the State of Colorado Emergency Operations Center…
Using SnapChat for preparedness isn’t as easy as one would think.
So here is yesterday’s snap in sleet.
Few items that I have to ponder for next time:
1. Portrait vs landscape. Since MOST of our recipients will be viewing this on a mobile platform (vertical), we should shoot the videos in portrait mode. That makes “selfie” solo production a bit more difficult. Hint: You might want to stop making fun of that selfie-stick now and get one.
2. Outside conditions (esp in our line of work) necessitates an external lav mic. I have one and I totally forgot to use it.
3. Framing needs to be assessed because the shot needs to include room for text.
4. Remembering which side is up during landscape video shooting is important. (I purposely did it so I can see if viewers rewatched the video to get the full effect). But SnapChat’s analytics don’t show amounts on segments – it only shows who has initially watched.
5. My shot list should have included various parts of the vehicle. Similar to a news package, varied backgrounds would likely keep audiences more engaged and keep their interest.
6. Filming in sleet isn’t fun.
7. Clean your lens. A lot.
8. Turn off your engine. Ambient noise will affect your sound (esp being so close).
9. I should have used some sort of emoticons to appeal more to a younger demographic/audience.
10. Saving the snap to YouTube (in its entirety) so that it can be used for other preparedness efforts (including separated sections).
I know the 10 items are detailed and nerdy, but as PIO or PAO or Communications Pros, I feel we should regularly share our lessons learned with others so we can all improve our tactics and deliveries.
Have a safe weekend peeps.
I’ve said it about a million times now.
Bringing my best emergency management stuff today.
Teamwork brings success.
Last week, I had the chance to present in front of the leaders of South Carolina in Myrtle Beach at the 2016 South Carolina Business Disaster Recovery Symposium.
It was a packed house! (Photo credit: A. Hardin)
It is outstanding to see everyone, especially private industry building partnerships with governmental agencies. I talked a ton about the use of social media and communications.
Just me, standing on chairs dancing away.
Of course all the news media was there too…
WMBF News (NBC Affiliate)
PIO interview skills in 3…2…1…
“We must work in tandem with our partners in public safety…” (Photo credit: A. Hardin)
And the reporter?
Trust me, the WPDE (ABC affiliate) News reporter Liz Cooper was hilarious. (Photo credit: A. Hardin)
At this Symposium, not only were they talking about preparedness…
Gahhhh, I love preparedness! My favorite month is……. (Photo credit: A. Hardin)
…we talked a ton about response and RECOVERY!
Because it isn’t as sexy, the recovery phase in Emergency Management does not have the same visibility when compared to the Preparedness phase or the Response phase. So this symposium is a perfect opportunity to showcase some messaging and how communications needs to be an integral part of any government or private business during recovery.
And when the Horry County Office of Emergency Management deems your presentation “on fleek” – *swoon*
Mahalos Brooke!
Many thanks to the team at the City of Myrtle Beach. Special Alohas to EM Rockstar Allison and Senior Planner Diane for the invite.
Preaching the good word about Disaster Recovery in South Carolina!
Looking forward to next year!
My social media class today…
Definitely one of the most diverse All-Hazard classes I had in a long while. Participants represented Emergency Management, Fusion Center, Public Works, Land & Natural Resources, Fire, Health Department, EMS, Private sector, HAZMAT, Police, Veteran’s Affairs, Intelligence, US Coast Guard PIAT, National Weather Service, CERT, and PIOs / PAOs.
Top notch peeps from across the country this week!
Special thanks to my old friend Houston Office of Emergency Management Melanie Manville for hosting this new #NDPTC class.
Many Mahalos.
Yikes.
Nice parking…C’mon man!
Me? News? Interview?
Can I please get you a reflective vest or a blinking hat?
Good thing I have my Aloha shirt on.
PIO skills in 3…2..1…
