Social Media and Its Impact on Communication - Emergency Management

Social media has already had a profound impact on 21st century social interaction. Utilizing social media has become a necessary societal norm. What some may not realize is that social media has also had a profound impact in the way citizens across the globe receive and give information, especially through emergency management. Emergency managers and the folks alike have learned to effectively publish quick, timely updates pertaining to communal, national, and world wide emergencies.

Social Media Emergency Management

Facebook and Twitter are the two big names that have shaped Social Media. Nearly everyone has a Facebook and/or Twitter profile nowadays. The Social Media Emergency Management organization is just one example of how individuals and organizations can develop successful and informative profiles. The SMEM has developed the hashtag #SMEM for distributing emergency information through Twitter. Since its conception, the #SMEM hastag has birthed an emergency management community. SMEM contributors include people from high ranking US government officials to everyday, ordinary folks.

The Importance of Emergency Information on Social Media

Very informative and respected organizations have advanced at social media over the years. FEMA, the Red Cross, and many other highly respected organizations have active and communicative social media sites that are open to anyone and everyone.

People are always on their social media sites, whether checking on a Facebook news feed post or viewing recent tweets on Twitter. Police scanner hobbyists, storm chasers, emergency managers, local Fire and Police departments, governmental officials, and news media/reporters are just a few examples of people who utilize social media as a means of communicating emergency information to folks through daily posts and tweets.

Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Police Scanner

I am the owner and founder of Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Police Scanner, usually called DFW Police Scanner for short. Back in October of 2010 after doing some research on social media and emergency communication, I combined my hobby of police scanning with social media and created an effective and timely Facebook page in order to give out emergency information pertaining to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. In early 2011, I also launched a Twitter account, @DFWscanner. A little over a year later, we've grown (to date) to 10,000 north Texans who join the page via Facebook and Twitter, and we're growing every single day. During the Texas wildfire outbreak of 2011, DFW Police Scanner, along with several other pages, used its popularity to help keep residents informed about where the fires were located, how the residents would be effected, and whenever new fires popped up.

There are thousands of others just like my page situated all across the world.

How to Get Involved

Are you interested in getting involved with the emergency management and communication world through social media? It's easy. If you have the resources simply make a Facebook page as well as a Twitter account. Be informative, timely, and quick to update; you'll gain popularity and followers quickly. Be sure your information is accurate and sometimes you may need to source other pages to in order to better distribute the emergency information to people who need it most.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me, post on my Facebook page, or send me a tweet.

JohnB0127
www.DFWscanner.net
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Police Scanner - Facebook
@DFWscanner - Twitter

Be sure to vote in the poll below! Whether you answer YES or NO, we still want to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to comment your opinion below in the Comments section.