Social media has become both popular and crucial in crisis
and emergency communications. Responders are not only communicating to their
public through social media outlets, the public is communicating with each
other, and with responders. Individuals are able to provide important
information on disaster impacts, including location and imagery, using nothing
more than a smart phone equipped with a camera and GPS locator. The disaster
management website www.ushahidi.com has formalized on a global scale the way
that individuals may contribute to building emergency response and recovery
information. Visit this website and read about one or more uses of the technology
in practice.Describe the pros and cons of this new phenomenon and
explain where the greatest shifts can occur.
Identify and describe some of the ways technology is
changing the emergency management field.
How can emergency managers balance the influence of social
media inputs with historic standardized procedures?
Solution: Emergency Communications