2011 has been a big year for extreme weather emergencies in the U.S. Spring floods, record-breaking heat waves, unusual numbers of tornadoes and even an earthquake in the U.S. Capitol. Now Hurricane Irene has ushered in the official start of hurricane season. When crisis strikes, which tools can help individual responders and community-supporting agencies to reach those they serve? Is there a winning technology solution to communicating risk, available resources and the ever-shifting events during a crisis to people on the ground?

For many agencies working as responders, whether government or non-profit, purse strings are tight.  People are drawn towards free solutions such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. These social media tools are not only free, they are relatively easy to use, and are familiar to many more people than one might think.

In 2009, author Hilton Collins analyzed the use of such tools by emergency managers and first responders. The free access and ability to immediately reach the public were clear benefits for agencies such as the Los Angeles Fire Department and the Philadelphia Department of Emergency Management. The use of Twitter specifically by law enforcement agencies has become so widespread that  Twitter has an advice page just for such users.

In the years since, the impact a responder can have with social media has grown much more powerful. Two new studies were released that shed light on today's social media use. Last week, the Pew Research Center released a survey demonstrating that for the first time, half of all U.S. adults report using social networking sites (65% of online adults). The number of Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace users has increased across demographics, as well. As one might expect, younger users go to these sites more frequently, but as report co-author Mary Madden points out, "...Baby Boomers are beginning to make a trip to the social media pool part of their daily routine."  This is significant because it's easier to reach people where they already are. And the numbers say that the people are on Facebook (in fact, if they're female and under 29 they're on every day!). In a crisis, taking advantage of the existing human behavior can make your outreach methods more effective.  

We know college kids are posting Spring Break pictures from the tropics but does that really help us warn them about a tropical storm? The results of two American Red Cross surveys conducted via phone and Internet of over 2000 people say yes. More and more citizens not only rely on social media tools to gather information about major events as they unfold, but they expect authorities to do the same!

The key findings were:

• Followed by television and local radio, the Internet is the third most popular way for people to gather emergency information with 18 percent of both the general and the online population specifically using Facebook for that purpose.
• Nearly a quarter (24 percent) of the general population and a third (31 percent) of the online population would use social media to let loved ones know they are safe.
• Four out of five (80 percent) of the general population and 69 percent of the online population surveyed believe that national emergency response organizations should regularly monitor social media sites in order to respond promptly.

A recent example of an agency utilizing free social media technology occurred during the recent Hurricane Irene warning and response. In Southington, Connecticut, the local Police Department had been using Facebook and Twitter for press releases and public communication since November of 2009. When there was an actual state of emergency they were ready to escalate and use these tools for the response. Facebook and Twitter connected their Department, the media and the public so effectively that residents gave them kudos as a result.

Citizens also used social media during Hurricane Irene - and some in unexpected ways. Sam Grobart writing for The New York Times reported on the relative stability of cell phone networks during the storm.  This state of events led to a number of citizens who, though without power, had charged cell phones.  They did not have phone service but were able to update friends and loved ones via Twitter and Facebook from smart phones.  Many disaster preparedness pros (this one, for example) have landline telephones and recommend people keep them for emergencies but this thinking may become obsolete sooner than we think!

There's no question that free social media tools such as Twitter are here to stay in the realm of disaster and emergency response. Whether gathering information from the field, performing public service announcements or reaching citizens directly, these tools are working. And free is your friend. However, there are many players in the emergency alert technology space. Do you get what you pay for? Are there downsides to using the free options to do critical or sensitive work? Are technology solutions tailored to first responders' use going to deliver better, more targeted solutions?  

I'll be examining all of these questions further next month in part 2 of Disaster Communication Technology...Is Free Working? 

Upcoming Events and Trainings Spotlighted:

 Free SF CARD Trainings

Do you have new staff? . . . Send them for FREE disaster training!! 

Make sure your staff is personally prepared for disaster. This helps to ensure they are available to help out at your organization in a disaster. 

STAFF READINESS

The SF CARD Staff Readiness training course is designed to help the staff of nonprofit and faith-based organizations to individually prepare for a disaster. The class is presented using a workbook which enables students to complete several of the components of staff preparedness in the classroom setting. The SF CARD Preparing Staff for Emergencies Workbook covers the following:

1. Education on Emergencies - "What to do when a specific emergency happens?"

2.Getting your family prepared - Home and go-kits, mitigating your home & your surroundings, and identifying those things you love.

3.Pre-planning for emergencies - Family Communication Plan, Evacuation Plan: Getting out of the House, and Rally Spot: Reunifying with a loved one.

4.Exercises and Resources - How to use what you have, Whistle & Flashlight exercise, and resources for Information and Supplies.

Don't miss this interactive class!

 INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS) 

The SF CARD Incident Command System (ICS) training is designed to teach nonprofit and faith-based organization staff and volunteers how to use this nationally accepted and tested disaster response and management system. This course introduces the Incident Command System by describing the history, features, principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. The training also uses a tabletop exercise to reinforce the learning objectives in a scenario setting.

(This interactive class lasts for three hours.)

All these trainings will take place at SF CARD. The address is 1675 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 (in the Volunteer Center).

SCHEDULE OF TRAININGS 2011:

October 19^th         Staff Readiness training                      10-11am

October 21^st         ICS training                                         1-4pm

To register:  registerforclasses@sfcard.org  or (415) 955-8946 x 253

Speakers Bureau Offer from SF CARD 

Looking for outstanding, professional speakers who specialize in disaster preparedness, response and recovery? Need a dynamic, motivational speaker for your upcoming event, conference or trade show?   

We have a great opportunity for you to learn more about SF CARD and what we do in the community. We are available for all groups including corporations, civic and neighborhood associations, organizations, clubs, schools and religious centers.

This is a complimentary service that allows us to share important information with the community, putting in practice our mission and core values. If you would like to set up an event with one of our speakers or need additional information, please contact Kristin Szafraniec at Kristin@sfcard.org or (415) 982-8999 ext. 223.   

Dog Rescue in a Disaster Response Training

Dr. Mark Johnson will be teaching (two) dog capture and handling courses at the Sacramento County Animal Shelter in October, 2011.   
 
The 3-day ACO course, Oct. 4-6, is one of the most extensive in North America thoroughly covering chemical immobilization in addition to non-chemical capture such as boxtrapping, netting, and working with the Y pole.  This is a powerful course for ACOs. 
 
There is also a non-chemical capture course for non-ACOs Oct. 8-9.   No other course is specifically designed for non-ACOs handling fearful dogs in disaster response, animal shelters, dog rescue, and spay/neuter programs.  This is an empowering class which will build great confidence to rescue and handle fearful dogs.
 
Each lively course is rich with PowerPoint, videos, and demonstrations.  ACO courses include hands-on labs with drug delivery systems and a needle and syringe lab.  Each participant will receive a course notebook and Certificate of Training.
 
Visit their Training Schedule for an outline of the course and to register.   

For questions, feel free to contact:
 
Mark R. Johnson DVM
Global Wildlife Resources, Inc. (non-profit)
Bozeman, Montana
Phone:  406.586.4624
Email: mjohnson@wildliferesources.org
Website: www.wildliferesources.org  

If you're interested in finding out about other ongoing events, trainings, & services visit the following agency specific websites:

SF CARD:

http://sfcard.org/wp/upcoming-events