Being Social: Integrating Social Media into Public Information Support to Emergency Response #smem
Abstract
Emergency response agencies across the homeland security spectrum rely on their public information offices to leverage social media in support of citizens and response organizations during times of disaster. Do these public information practitioners have the guidance and tools necessary to represent their organizations effectively in times of emergency? To answer this question, this thesis reviews social media policies at the local, state, federal, and international emergency response agency levels, specifically looking at guidance provided for crisis communications social media use during and after a disaster. Case studies on how social media are used during and after a disaster present various perspectives. The thesis also examines additional considerations for social media and emergency response. The policy review and case studies find a disparity between what is expected of our emergency response agency communicators and the guidance provided to them to meet the needs of our citizens and organizations in a time of disaster. This gap between policy and action leaves room for miscommunication and inconsistencies that must be addressed. The thesis includes a Social Media Policy Template to offer guidance and establish parameters as an organization engages in the social media environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA579964
Entities
People
- Tamara L. Spicer
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School