The most practical government applications for Twitter are in public safety and emergency notifications. I’m currently kicking around a blueprint for exactly how I can use Twitter more effectively to keep the community instantaneously informed of fires, road closings from MVA’s, power outages etc.
Currently I use Twitter as a tool to spread information on stories I post on my departments website. These Tweets about incident reports usually draw a good number of followers who go to the story via a link on the Twitter post. I truly know though that the value of Twitter is being able to give real time information during an emergency.
The Los Angeles Fire Department has been at the forefront of Twitter usage. They Tweet with bulletins about structural fires, the number of responding firefighters, and injuries and casualties. A typical post is something like: “12126 Burbank Bl* No ‘formal’ evacuations; Firefighters maintaining 500′ exclusion zone pending LAFD Hazmat arrival.”
When a commuter train derailed Sept. 12, 2008, in Chatsworth, Calif., killing dozens and injuring hundreds, the LAFD tweeted several times to update the public about rescue operations. And citizens near a wildfire in Griffith Park in 2007 tweeted to the LAFD about wind direction and smoldering hot spots, which helped firefighters, control the 800-acre blaze.
I know the value of Twitter, and once my blueprint is complete I will embark on the marketing phase to get the community involved as followers.
I would appreciate hearing from my fellow PIO’s about any department that has a Twitter emergency response plan in place.
Here is a quick video about the emergency use of Twitter by Public Service of New Hampshire when thousands of homes lost power during a major ice storm.
Also on The Fire PIO…
- Who’s Minding your Twitter? – April 2, 2010
- LA PIO Wagon Envy – February 9, 2010
- Charlotte and Mesa FD’s Twitter Away – February 1, 2010
- Is Social Media Cross Posting Wise? – April 6, 2010
Brother Jeff,
We’re humbled by your mention of the Los Angeles Fire Department in The Fire PIO.
Twitter remains but one of 80+ internet tools being utilized by the LAFD in an effort to keep the public informed. For alerts and advisories we use @LAFD and for interaction @LAFDtalk. We feel this dual-channel approach heightens the ‘signal to noise’ challenge that can easily befall our vocation.
We’ve been fans of your blog from the outset, and include your RSS Feed in our list of ‘daily must reads’ at the LAFD Media Desk.
Please stay safe, be well – and keep up the great work!
Fraternally Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
DC Fire has been tweeting for a while now, you may want to check them out. Between them and DC-DOT, the information was invaluable during our snow storm
Brian,
You guys are like rock stars to me! Thank you so much for reading the blog.
Jeff Bressler
Andy,
Thanks Andy. Will check out. With the snow you guys got I sure Twitter kept Tweeting!
Jeff
Here’s a slightly dated blog entry regarding ways to share Twitter, Facebook and even Linked In addresses with those not finding them online. As a retired FF, I’m looking to focus more of my business toward emergency services and Fire & Burn Prevention Education, and believe that new media addresses and sources are ideal copy for many standard promotional items.
http://www.eaglemountainpromotions.com/blog-details.php?ID=77
The Boston, MA police department makes, in my opinion, great use of twitter. They post pd/fd/and ems calls that are likely to effect the public. They also post weekly crime information, photo opportunities and stories that may be interesting to the public. Here is a link to their twitter: http://twitter.com/Boston_Police