A handout to accompany the Disaster Strikes. Social Media. poster presentation at the 2012 Public Health Preparedness Summit and 2012 Digital Health Communication Extravaganza.

1. The Hard Sell Setting the Scene Flood Alerts Results
Emergency responders in New Hampshire rely on traditional, one-way After roles have been assigned, a fictional flood scenario is introduced. As the
The Hard Sell communication channels. However, local and national data suggest that
Flood Alerts flood progresses during the 5-hour exercise, participants are guided through the
social media is an increasingly effective communication channel during steps to communicate with their fictional audiences using Facebook and Twitter.
public health emergencies. This 5-hour exercise starts with a presentation
of compelling data and case studies where social media was used
effectively in public health emergencies. Flood Alerts Social Media Examples
Activities
Like a Facebook page of a
A flood watch is issued for Ridge County partner.
Ridge County due to rapid Post Facebook status update
snow melt and rainfall that may about flood preparedness
result in overflow of Tweet a flood warning
streams, rivers and lakes. incorporating #FloodFake.
Retweet the strongest tweet
Haiti Earthquake from fellow participants.
Interagency communications Evacuation is recommended
Follow an organization on
for low lying areas of
Twitter.
Ridge County.
Post a link to a Google map of
shelter sites.
Setting the Scene After “The Hard Sell”, participants assume the role of a fictional Ridge Repurpose or share a relevant
Residents are unsure if it is safe
County organization. Each organization has a fictional Facebook and Twitter article using a social plug-in.
to return home after the flood.
account to manage for their organization. The presenters play the role of a Tweet an image of the flood.
concerned citizen who interacts with the organizations on social media. Respond to a concerned
The flood recedes. resident’s tweet.
Post a poll on your wall.
Thank fans and followers.
Granite Public Granite Town Ridge Hospital Granite Town Granite Town Granite Town
Health Network Police Fire Department Resident The hands-on experience of applying social media in an emergency scenario helps
Results
participants gain technical skills, increase their level of comfort, and practice how
Authors Funding they would use the tools during an emergency in a no-fault, no-pressure environment. Pre- and post-assessments
Arielle Slam & Alyson Cobb This project was financed under an Agreement with the State of New of participants demonstrated the following results:
Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public
JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. Health Services with funds provided by the Centers for Disease Control and
Increase between pre- and post-assessments in… Facebook Twitter
Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not Understanding of characteristics that make the tool
necessarily represent the official views of the Division of Public Health Services 133% 238%
useful for emergency preparedness and response.
or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Comfort using the tool in a professional setting 75% 325%
Get an e-handout here:
http://scr.bi/DSSMR2012 In addition, 97% of attendees reported that they intended to take action on what they learned.
and here

2. A Comprehensive Approach to Social Media Training for Emergency Response Agencies
Disaster Strikes. Social Media Responds. is just one aspect of JSI’s comprehensive social media training and exercise series aimed
at emergency responders. Each training builds on lessons from the step prior in order to guide the participants towards effective and
appropriate use of social media to communicate with the public in preparation for, during, and after an emergency or disaster.
Crisis Communications 2.0: Social Media in Emergency Preparedness & Response
 Learn about social media and current trends.
Learn  Practice 
 Learn about prominent tools through case studies of social media being used to engage the public
during a disaster.
 Understand the benefits and barriers of social media.
Disaster Strikes. Social Media Responds.
 Identify effective applications of social media in emergency preparedness and response.
 Explain characteristics of social media that make it useful for emergency preparedness and response.
 Have the opportunity to build technical skills in Facebook and Twitter through hands-on practice,
including posting information and multi-media, interacting with target audiences and key partners,
and collecting and organizing information.
Social Media Planning
 Discuss popular social media tools and their potential applications.
Plan
 Learn the process for creating a social media plan, including developing goals, prioritizing channels,
content mapping, implementation, and measurement.
 Use the workbook provided to develop a social media plan for your organization.

Joint Information Virtual Exercise (JIVE)
 Allow emergency response agencies to practice their Public Information and Warning Plans
Apply
throughout a month-long personal preparedness campaign.
 Empower public health and safety organizations to use social media as a communication channel.
 Demonstrate the power of online collaboration.
For more information, please contact JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc.:
Arielle Slam  603-573-3341  aslam@jsi.com  Alyson Cobb  603-573-3319  acobb@jsi.com