Hello Friday!!!!
As part of the ongoing P26 push…I thought this quick video might help out a few peeps.
Mainly designed for PIOs, PAOs, and External Affairs Officers….I think anyone could utilize these easy tips.
Reporting live from the 24-7 SEOC…
| 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:
Time is valuable, so tweet good stuff.
***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this file:
It’s Friday in the fourth week of 2014 National Preparedness Month.
“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”
Ahhh, Aloha Fridays!
This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Practice for an emergency
#26: Are ALL your emergency flashlights working? Test em if you got em! #Prepared2014 #NatlPrep
Since it’s a beautiful day, I would be a great day to test all your flashlights.
A few weeks ago, I talked about having flashlights in case of an emergency. Now would be the time to test and make sure each flashlight is in working condition.
Don’t forget about your helmet lights too!
And for my friends in the law enforcement world, don’t forget to check all your weapon lights too.
*I also had to change the batteries in my EOTech too.
Your preparedness actions now will definitely save you time during an emergency.
Reminder again, throw away all candles. Candles are dangerous and can start fires. Flashlights are WAY better for lighting.
Happy Aloha Friday everyone!
Rainy/gloomy Saturday, and I’m closing out the first week of 2014 National Preparedness Month!
“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”
Saturday Stuff right?
This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Reconnect with Family After a Disaster.
#6: Have at least two (2) flashlights w/ batteries to help navigate in the dark & keep your family together #NatlPrep #Prepared2014
Pictured above is just one of the three flashlights that I keep in my everyday bag.
Reconnecting with my family after a disaster means that I have preparedness items for them too. It would be worth noting that each flashlight uses the same type of batteries and all operate/function the same (rear push button and twist-on action). This brand and similar power source compatibility allows everyone to have the same gear.
2 is 1 and one is none right? Well, I guess in this case, it’s 3 is 1 and one is none.
For those inquiring on my equipment specifics, I have a Surefire M2 Centurion, a Surefire A2 Aviator, and a Surefire G2 Nitrolon.
Also, a simple red tape marking allows us to easily identify what equipment is ours.
At night, a great flashlight allow you to quickly identify your family members amongst the sea of cheap weaker flashlights in the neighborhood. Trust me, at night, you want the best most powerful flashlights around.
So have flashlights and batteries ready for all members of your family.
Keeping tools ready for your family is another important parts of keeping your family together during and after a disaster.
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14-003: Write for Different Platforms |
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Agency: Rocky Mountain Area IMT |
Topic(s): Social Media Platform Specific Messaging |
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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:
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.
***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this: WriteForDifferentPlatforms-Safety-PIO-SM-14-003
| 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.
***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this: Safety-PIO-SM-14-001
| 14-001: The made up #hashtag | |
| Agency: Bath Township Fire | Topic(s): Prevention and engagement |
| Date: Spring 2014 | Platform: Twitter |
Twice a year, moving our clocks ahead/behind one hour for daylight savings time provides all of us public safety the opportunity to push an easy fire safety tip to our constituents. It’s a good time to remind folks to test their smoke alarms. That’s what BTFD FC did when they posted this message on twitter, which included the #gopushthebuttton hashtag.
Keep in mind that Twitter’s mantra is short concise messaging limited to 140 characters. The idea behind a hashtag is to pair your tweet with other tweets out in the twittersverse. So I did a quick search for #gopushthebutton and found only one tweet from BTFD FC. With no other tweets using that hashtags, using #gopushthebutton was just wasted characters.
If you use irrelevant or made up hashtags, all you end up doing is wasting valuable space. Long tweets do not allow your followers the room to retweet your valuable content to their followers because of 140 maximum character counts.
A more effective tweet could have read:
Test every smoke alarm & CO detector in your home today. An easy safety reminder from XXFD. More info? www.XXFD.org
By phrasing it this way:
1. You have more visibility by reminding your followers test both smoke and CO detectors.
2. Twitter shows your twitter handle and name with the tweet, so don’t waste space by repeating information already in plain sight.
3. Do not use a made up hashtag as it will confuse your followers. In a serious tweet, use a serious hashtag.
4. Using the word “easy” will likely get your followers to complete a task because it’s easy.
5. Or consider using a more popular hashtag. In this case, #daylightsavings or #springforward
6. Reference your website for more information on detectors. Also you are establishing your agency as a trusted source with good information. And through analytics, you can also track how many people visited your tweeted website which could assist in quantifying your social media efforts.
Time is valuable, so tweet good stuff.
***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this: Safety-PIO-SM-14-001
Media considerations: Press amenities.
Aside from giving the media the juicy story they crave…we should do a better job in considering their needs during a disaster.
However, in this day/age of media involvement and constant interaction, it would behoove us PIOs to better meet the needs of our partners (that’s right, I said partners) in safety.
For prolonged incidents, it would be nice if your agency:
Since we are breaking down barriers, we need to explore a few options to support our partners in safety. Look at this setup…
…no seriously, look closer.
What do you see?
Build your relationships before a disaster and strengthen them as you continue to train exercise your skills. Partners in safety.
Let’s work together to better our response and enhance communications skills with just some basic needs for the press. Trust me, a little goes along way.
After all, the old adage goes: you can attract more friends with honey than vinegar…right?
@rusnivek
Where is @rusnivek? 