Social Media Observations
 
              
            
Homeland Security/National Preparedness Applications

Social media applications offer a wide potential for use by emergency managers. Although you may not think about it, a marketplace service such as eBay contains tens of thousands of emergency equipment items. Equipment, vehicles, parts, manuals, services and many other items are reguarly offered.
Examples of emergency related items that can be found on eBay include:

Riken Keiki GD-S8DG TEOS Toxic Gas Detector
TERRA P Detector DOSIMETER MANUAL

Ford-Darley Fire Engine(Pumper)
Fire hose
Other examples of useful social netwwork applications include:
  • LinkedIn can be used to organize subject matter experts for access on an as needed basis.
  • Emergency managers can use WikipediA to create an encyclopedia of emergency terms.
  • YouTube can house a library of training videos for all sorts of emergencies.
  • Collaboration applications such as Central Desktop can help communities with mutual aid.
Exercise:     Using the attached spreadsheet, outline some preparedness applications in each category that might be assisted using the social media applications listed below. For the fourth social media application, select any application that has not been covered in this lesson.

Preparedness Applications Analysis
Social Network ApplicationPreventionPreparednessResponseRecovery
 
Twitter    
Digg    
Second Life    
Your Application of Choice    

Resources:     DHS Social Media www.dhs.gov/xabout/gc_1238684422624.shtm

Homeland Security Monitored Social Media Sites www.ibtimes.com/articles/280922/20120112/homeland-security-social-media-websites-monitored-list.htm

FEMA Social Media www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=60217
              
Copyright © 2011, 2012 Ken Sochats