Last week we released the results of a survey on the use of social media in emergencies. The survey showed that 63% of Canadians think emergency services such as fire and police should be prepared to respond to a call for help posted on a social media site.The results prompted a lot of discussion on the role emergency responders and social media should play in an emergency or disaster.
Sergeant Tim Burrows of the Toronto Police and one of our Digital Volunteers weighed in on the discussion about emergency responders monitoring social media for calls for help by stressing the importance of calling 9-1-1 in an emergency. While social media provides a great way of disseminating information during an emergency, Tim points out that the accounts aren’t currently being monitored to support online reporting of emergencies.
On their site, XConnectTO also looked at the opportunities for using social media for emergency medical care. “Social media channels of communication for emergency medical services could be incredibly efficient at dealing with large volumes of inquiry, as often there is a surge in demand for information as a result of a single occurrence…while still providing the flexibility to respond on an individual basis”.
If there is one thing the Canadian Red Cross survey shows, it is the demand for information regarding emergencies on social channels as well as the need for emergency responders to address current beliefs surrounding social media and emergency response.
Crisis communications blogger, Patrice Cloutier, took to his own blog to address the issue of emergency responders on social media. In his article, Patrice argues that emergency managers must catch up with society and find a way to use social media in emergency response. And while many may side with Patrice, we continue to urge Canadians to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency! Please do not use social media as a substitute for reporting emergencies.
The survey has certainly created a lot of discussion around what we expect of social media and the emergency responders who use it!
Filed under: Emergency, General Tagged: | digital volunteers, emergency response, social media, survey
Amrit Dhatt, Communications Coordinator Blogging from BC
Candace Lamb blogging from the prairies
Gina Holmes /Communications Coordinator/@holmes_gna
Gwen Eamer, HQ Blogger in Ottawa / Red Cross Media Advisor @gweneamer
Jamie-Leigh, Blogging in Ontario, @JamieLeighTO
Janice Babineau, East Coast blogger, @JaniceBabineau
Karen Snider, Blog Master/ Media Manager, @karensnider
Katie Robinson, HQ blogger in Ottawa / Public Affairs Advisor/@katiewrobinson
Lisa, Blogging in Ontario, @LisaBanning1
Matt O'Connor, Alberta Blogger, @matthewjocon
Melanie MacDonald @mellemac777
RedCrossTalks
Reblogged this on Walking the Social Media Beat and commented:
More great informtion from the Canadian Red Cross.
Jamie, was there discussion around identifying true emergencies on the social networks? I think there may be a danger in tying up the first responders and other services (very valuable) if there is no way of triaging what situations need responders.
Hi Keira, unfortunately responders just don’t have the resources right now to track all of the activity on social networks and respond to them. While they do try to engage and encourage reporting whatever way they can, social media is still not a substitute for calling 9-1-1 for help. Having to identify and triage each situation or report would be an extra challenge and a time consuming task for first responders.
Sergeant Tim Burrows mentions in his post that if a report of a true emergency came to their attention they would treat it like they would any other emergency, however there is no way they can ensure they will see every report and be able to respond.