Reading Summary 9 - Social Media Changing the Way FEMA Responds to Disasters - Chris Schippers

Chris Schippers

Reference:

SICARD, S., & THOMAS, S. (2013). Social Media Changing the Way FEMA Responds to Disasters. National Defense, 98(718), 17-18. Retrieved on September 18, 2013 from http://ezproxy.uvu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=91690098&site=ehost-live

Theme:

This article explains how today's society has evolved in communications during disasters.  The majority of people today use one form or another of social media to inform loved ones of their status during or after a disaster.  It also explains how the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is boarding this train as well to inform the public of up-to-date response information as well as safety and preparedness tips.

Summary:

·         According to a University of San Francisco survey, more than 70 percent of people in disaster situations use social media to let their families and friends know that they are OK.

·         The use of social media in responding to natural disasters is becoming crucial to emergency response agencies.

·         'Social media enables response organizations to quickly push information to the public'

·         FEMA now has three Facebook pages 34 Twitter accounts.

·         Leverage of such social media tools is imperative.

·         Millions of Americans use social media daily and for various reasons.

·         Social media can be a double-edged sword when misinformation is spread.

·         Since social media is open and anyone can use it, there is a need to establish common standards and procedures to help make the sharing of data more efficient.

·         FEMA is trying to mitigate the problem of misinformation by developing a rumor control webpage that acknowledges or denounces information spread through social media.

·         FEMA plans to continue engaging in online conversations, provide information to the public, and produce a better-informed public.

·         The University of San Francisco also found that 80 percent of Americans expect emergency response agencies to monitor social media sites.

·         One out of three expect help to arrive within an hour of posting a request online.

·         Social media can also be a source of information for agencies to keep tabs on disasters.

·         FEMA was the first to develop a shortcode that could be texted to receive information on open recovery disaster centers and it received 10,000 requests in one day from people searching for shelter.

·         FEMA also developed a smartphone app that provides disaster safety tips and maps to shelters.

Application to the Lesson Topic:

The use of social media for disaster agencies is an extremely helpful and advantageous tool. During this lesson we learned firsthand how well Twitter works for spreading information before, during, and after disasters.  The article explains how FEMA understands the importance of social media in spreading important information such as safety tips and shelters as well as combatting misinformation.

Application to Emergency Services:

This applies directly to emergency services, especially since FEMA is at the forefront of all Emergency Agencies and gets the most attention during a disaster. Emergency Service Agencies everywhere should follow the example left by FEMA and dive deep into the information highway that is social media.