Backchannels on the Front Lines

Joseph Galbraith

Reference:

 Sutton, J., Palen, L., & Shlovski, I. (2008). Backchannels on the Front Lines. Washington D.C.: F. Fiedrich and B. Van de Walle, eds.

Theme: The use of what used to be referred to as conventional means of disaster communication to the public is being used more frequently.  Though there is concern that the validity of the information may be unconfirmed, this technology is precursor to advanced technology that will greatly increase communication. This report studies the use of communication among members of the public during the 2007 wild land fires in Southern California.

Summary:

• Emergency managers and responders are failing to recognize the capacity of the public to act on their own to conduct rescue and recovery efforts.

• Through social media the public is able to organize and coordinate efforts better than ever before.

• This type of communication has been labeled as backchannel communication

• The Incident Command System has traditionally used unidirectional communication as a means to inform the public. 

• In the past, peer to peer communication has been thought to be inaccurate and unreliable.  However in recent examples this type of communication has proven to be very beneficial.

• This study showed that 54% of respondents used personal electronic devices to access information about the fires.  Most respondents also turned to national news outlets but thought that they lacked specificity.

•Some of the motivation behind back channel communication was the fact that some citizens were frustrated with the lack of media information they were receiving.  Because of their frustration they felt a sense of duty to distribute information using social media.

 

Application to the lesson topic:

This is very good study about the use of unconventional communication or "back channel communication".  During a disaster, social media may be the most practical means to get crucial information to the public. 

Application to emergency services:

Back Channel Communication should be applied to emergency communication plans.   It would not be practical to depend on this type of peer to peer communication but it should be considered so that communication resources might be shifted to where they are needed the most.  Using a more multi-directional means of communication will increase our response to a large scale disaster.  Educating the public on the use and importance of social media could be included in Community Emergency Response Team Training.

9 - Jeffrey Martin - Social Media and Disasters

Reference:  Ortiz, A. (2013, May 4). Social media and disasters: When a small post can spur hope. Christian Science Monitor. p. N.PAG. Retrieved from: Academic Search Premier http://ehis.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.uvu.edu/ehost/detail?sid=76b32b6b-1c53-4975-b2a3-10ee13a8aa6b%40sessionmgr114&vid=2&hid=2&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=87500895

Theme:  This article discusses the use of social media during a disaster when communicating with the public.

Summary:  Social media transforms during a disaster.  During these times, it transforms from a place for people to post about their kids to a place where they can share information.  Emergency management departments should learn how to use these sites to spread official information.  SF72 was a social media site created by the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management for this purpose.

·         Twitter, Facebook, and other social networks spread information, allow people to know that their loved ones are safe, and assist in coordinating efforts.

·         Usage of these sites will rise dramatically during a disaster.

·         These sites can be useful tools to let people know how to help.

Application to lesson:  In this article, San Francisco went as far as hiring a PR firm to help them design their social media site.  Although this is unnecessary, you should still do your research to make the site appropriate to your community.

Application to the emergency services:  Departments should know how to use social media to be able to have an avenue to spread official notices and information.  People will turn to this form of media for help during a disaster. It should be noted, that the internet may be down during a disaster, and you need to not rely solely on this as your means of dissemination.

9- Randy Rask- New Trends in Community Informatics and Disaster Management

Randy Rask

Reference: 

Shankar, Kalpana (2008). Wind, Water, and Wi-Fi: New Trends in Community Informatics and Disaster Management. Information Society; Apr2008, Vol. 24 Issue 2, p116-120, 5p

Theme:  This article addresses how the use of social networks during disasters helps to mobilize the community and how a well-designed social network based around emergency management can assist citizens in being more prepared for emergencies. 

Summary:

-          In February of 2007, Ben Shneiderman and Jennifer Preece suggested that our nation needed an "Online 911".

-          They came to the determination that designing and deploying a system such as this would cost hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. 

-          What are some ways that citizens can be more in touch with emergency management so they can be more prepared for disasters?

-          Citizens have started to use end-user technologies to communicate during disasters.

-          These technologies need to be designed and deployed in a proper way to have the greatest impact during a crisis.

-          Disaster volunteers seem to be well connected in exchanging information during relief efforts but these technologies are not very useful in preparing for the next disaster. 

-          Community-based approached through social networks if done properly may very well prove to be effective in preparing for future disasters. 

-          These technologies can be used to recruit volunteers and communicate between different relief programs. 

-          Bottom line is that these technologies are a great advantage during disasters and can also be a great advantage in preparing for future disasters. 

 

Application to Lesson Topic:

 Social media technologies have been being used in disasters since they were discovered.  This article explains ways that these networks can become more effective in preparing for disasters.  It also addresses how relief agencies can stay informed with each other and how they can communicate with the citizens.  The article also shows us that the community needs to be more informed on emergency management and it addresses ways that social network technologies need to be designed to assist people with understanding this.

Application to Emergency Service:

Emergency Services is all about helping citizens in the best way possible.  I would have to say that the best way to help citizens in disasters is to prepare them for it.  Preparedness is key.  This article states that social networking, if designed correctly, can help people understand emergency preparedness and the operations involved.

8- John Scardena- Interview Prep

Reference:

Lima, P. (2012). When the Reporter Comes Calling: How to Prepare For Media Interviews. CMA Magazine (1926-4550), 86(1), 34-35.

 

Theme:

If you want to have a successful interview with the press, make sure you have prepared… for everything.

 

Summary:

- Emergency management is about planning, so follow your gut and plan to be interviewed at anytime.

- Memorize strategic phrases or powerful quotes you want the media to catch.

- Elevator approach (30 seconds to get your message out there)

-Make sure you search for questions they will ask that you don't want them to ask and then prepare to answer them.

-Always look in control.

-At times you may not be able to talk about something, you should learn how to respond to questions you can't answer.

dismissed. Make sure to include accurate information in your debunking.

-Kill rumors fast. Watch print, televised, social, and radio news.

- Make sure you know what your saying because the press will run with it either way.

 

Application to Lesson:

In terms of a press release, knowing whats going to hit the fan and what will bore the press and ultimately viewers is extremely important. Preparation for the interview can really help spin stories the way you want them to go.  

 

Application to Career:

If I were to become a PIO I think it would be best to get a team together just to research and to drill questions at me. This would allow us to look for the questions we don't want asked and then how to answer them effectively. As a emergency manager, I would want to make sure there is a story worth telling or information worth sharing so that people can be informed

7-John Scardena- Preparing for a disaster

Reference: Mega. Broker Inc. (2009). Reactions, 29(7), 78.

 

Theme:

When we understand crisis's will happen we know the most logical thing to do is prepare for pre and post disaster.

 

Summary:  

-An insurance brokerage named "Mega Broker" gave press releases as terrorist threats began to emerge.

- The idea behind the press releases was to prepare people in case of disaster.

- Homeland security measures try to minimize post disaster casualties. Likewise we should do the same.

- Keep up to date information and kits handy.

- Create a checklist of things to cover if and when a disaster occurs.

- Have an organized group- who does what.

- Keep things simple and logical… and back it up.

- Homeowners insurance can cover anything you list on the plan, so list it.

- Be aware of your surroundings.

 

Application to Lesson:

Lesson seven was all about giving a press release and how to accurately portray information. This summary for example shows just that. When a bombing occurred the brokerage released to the press steps individuals and communities should take in case of a disaster.

 

Application to Career:

As emergency managing personnel we deal with planning everyday. We understand that the best offence is a strong defense. If we can prepare for a crisis but understand that we can't control everything then we can better prepare how to act. We don't have to be sucker punched like we were on 9/11 anymore if we plan correctly.  

Hurricane Andrews: Media Lessons

John Scardena

 

Reference:

Trahan III, J. V. (1993). Media Relations in the Eye of the Storm. Public Relations Quarterly, 38(2), 31-32.

 

 

Theme: If we want to effectively prepare for disaster events than we must work with and build relationships with media personnel.

 

Summary:

- Hurricane Andrew slammed Florida on August 24, 1992

- Over the course of one day a thousand plus hits were to the media

- Joint Task Force Andrew, a military unit was assigned to help the media's questions.

- JICs Mission:

1. Meet with media and answer questions regarding the hurricane

2. Coordinate media responses of all federal agencies.  

3. Prepare a daily media briefing

4. Radio blasts/ announcements 24 hours a day

5. Help inform victims where and how to get help

6. Inform people what measures were being taken

7. Inform members of the task force what was going on

8. Maintain high morale in the task force.

 

Application to Lesson:

Wow learning how the JIC for Hurricane Andrew handled the situation was kind of an eye opener. With our focus on developing a relationship between media and emergency services we can learn a lot from what they dealt with.

 

Application to Career:

If I am ever in a hurricane, I will be trying to get out probably with everyone else. If I am there for my job, I think it would be the most stressful, awesome experience of a lifetime. Some act like the media is this terrible beast, but we need the media and they need us. Application: Learn to have a personality and like the media.

9 - Social Media Uses During Disasters - Michael Newland

Michael Newland

Reference:

Lindsay, B. R. (2012). Social Media and Disasters: Current Uses, Future Options and Policy Considerations. Journal of Current Issues in Media & Telecommunications; Vol. 2 Issue 4, Pg. 287-297.

Theme:

Social Media is growing quickly and has become a great tool for disaster preperation and information.

Summary:

·         In the last five years social media have played an increasing role in emergencies and disasters.

·         The use of social media for emergencies and disasters may be conceptualized as two broad categories.

·         “First, social media can be used somewhat passively to disseminate information and receive user feedback via incoming messages, wall posts, and polls (Lindsay, 2012).”

·         “A second approach involves the systematic use of social media as an emergency management tool (Lindsay, 2012).”

·         A 2009 American Red Cross study found that social media is the fourth most popular source of emergency information.

·         “Instances of inaccurate and false information may be an inherent problem, given the nature of social media platforms and the number of people disseminating information (Lindsay, 2012).”

·         “Social media appear to be making inroads into emergency management for a variety of reasons. For one, accurate, reliable, and timely information is vital for public safety before, during, and after an incident. As people continue to embrace new technologies, use of social media will likely increase (Lindsay, 2012).”

Application to Lesson:

The lesson this week was about social media and disasters. This article is about how more and more people are using social media to share and obtain information during a disaster.

Application to Emergency Services:

Social Media allows emergency agencies to quickly get information out to the masses. It is now much easier to coordinate relief efforts and to provide public with information that they need to know.