Preparedness comes in all shapes and sizes.
And for this #ThrowBackThursday (#TBT) – I showcase a small sardine’s can of preparedness.
This includes a sardine’s can worth of stuff.
How much stuff?
Well, I guess it’s better than nothing.
I was discussing some Periscope tips with a few Police PIOs on an upcoming spot with the mounted unit. Great key points in the story, but I cautioned them on the variability and unpredictability of filming with animals.
Try your best to limit the view to close ups and reduce the amount of wide shots.
Also, consider having cut plan…aka alternate plan in case “stuff” happens.
(I should have posted this on Wednesday huh?)
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.
| 15-004: Are you violating Facebook’s Terms of Service? | |
| Agency: Various public safety agencies | Topic(s): Facebook organization page |
| Date: 07-31-15 | Platform: Facebook |
Facebook has a wide audience and many public safety agencies have taken to Facebook to promote their efforts. However, many agencies have created the wrong type of account on Facebook.
By creating your agency’s page as a person on Facebook, you are violating Facebook’s terms of service. And if you are going to ask, Facebook administration has the right to immediately delete everything. Yikes.
By registering your agency as an ORGANIZATIONAL PAGE, you can take advantage of Facebook’s analytics. This information is incredibly valuable as you evaluate who, what, at what time, and most importantly the how and why they are searching/visiting your agency’s organizational page.
Facebook readily asks if you know people and displays their basic account information. Facebook’s goal is to increase your networks by showcasing people that are similar to you. If you happen to see one of your neighboring public safety agencies who may have incorrectly registered a Facebook personal account, take the time to inform them on changing their account from a personal page to an organizational page.
Likes? As an organization, can I like other pages? Yes, as an organizational page, you can like other agencies too. Through Facebook likes, you can showcase to your trusted network of similar public safety agencies.
Remember, social media is about how you can amplify your networks and positively engage your constituents. We are constantly strengthening our relationships with similar groups – all in the name of safety.
Look, we all need to be good stewards of our public safety brand. All Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) need to constantly support each other and help agencies who need some social media guidance.
By double checking your agency and your partner agencies.
Time is valuable, so post good stuff.
To download the one-pager, click on the link here: Safety-PIO-SM-15-004-PersonalOrOrganizationalOnFacebook
On the scene, tagging a hydrant. Wait a minute….
Preplan your AORs because businesses do creative things with stuff.
| 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:
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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
