Posted as a courtesy by: Dave Sweigert CISA, CISSP, HCISPP, PMP, SEC+ CISA, CISSP, HC

1. Virtual Operations
Support Teams
Briefing
Concept
Cheryl Bledsoe (@cherylble)
Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA)
Cheryl.Bledsoe@clark.wa.gov
360-992-6270
#VOST on Twitter
http://vosg.us

2. Social Media Changes Emergency Response
• Provides the ability for
information to be shared
rapidly
• Increases the amount of
visual data that is available
from people “on the scene”
• Offers Emergency Response
Organizations access to a
Haystack of information
#VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us

3. What is a Virtual Operations Support Team?
• Team of “Trusted agents,”
organized and directed by
EM Response Organizations
– Incident Management Teams
– Incident PIO’s
– Emergency Operations
Centers)
• VOST teams are given social
media and web-based
missions to manage
#VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us

4. Tasked
• Information finding
• Spot Trends
• Information dissemination
Autonomous
• Monitoring public voice
• Amplifying official message
• Monitor
• Curate
• Amplify
#VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us
How can VOST assist EM Agencies?

5. • United
States
• New
Zealand
• Canada
• Europe
#VOST on Twitter
http://vosg.us
Where Are VOST Teams Currently?

6. Emergency Managers (from other areas), Public Information Officers, Intel
Analysts, High-Tech Staff, Social Media Savvy Supporters, Students and
Volunteers from diverse backgrounds!
#VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us
Who Makes Up a VOST Team?

7. Benefits of a VOST
• Ability to Focus on Web
• Variety of Skills &
Abilities Available,
based on networks of
participants
• Ability to See Trends &
Issues
• Provides a Filter for EM
Response Agencies
#VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us

8. Disaster
occurs/event
selected
Decision to activate.
Activated by EOC or
self activated to
ensure data is
collated ASAP
Set tasks, priorities,
schedule,
tools/platforms
VOST
expands/contracts
according to Incident
command principles
Deactivation,
discussion,
documentation,
AAR
Exercises between
activations to stay
current on tools
& platforms
Concept
#VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us
VOST Instance Cycle

9. Step 1: EM Organization
activates VOST team leader,
(or VOST decides to self-deploy
if pre-arranged with criteria)
Step 2: VOST Team Lead
activates local and
nonlocal team members
Activations may vary and be subject to change based on pre arrangements with EM agencies.
#VOST on Twitter
http://vosg.us
VOST Activation

10. Activations may vary and be subject to change based on pre arrangements with EM agencies.
#VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us
Types of VOST Missions
Wildfire:
Slower Evolving Missions
Develop Incident Presence
Disseminate & Amplify
Often in Rural Communities
Dynamic Incidents:
(Tornadoes / Severe Weather)
Find unaddressed concerns
Gather Damage Assessment
Law Enforcement:
Intelligence / Monitoring
Training / Exercise:
Practice, Practice, Practice

11. Activations may vary and be subject to change based on pre arrangements with EM agencies.
#VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us
Preparing a VOST Team
Emergency Management Entity
• Understand the Need
• Become Familiar with Social Media
• Identify Types of Missions
• Achieve Agency Buy-In
• Recruit Team Members
• Establish Protocols
• Train/Exercise

12. • VOST Website: http://vosg.us which is
maintained by Joanna Lane (@joannalane)
• Skype Coordination Room called “All Things
VOS” for general chat-based coordination
• VOST Leadership Coalition Monthly
Teleconference on last Friday of each month
to debrief incidents & exercises
Cheryl Bledsoe, Facilitator
• Orange County VOST Creation
• CRESA Field Operations Guide
• Google Doc Workbook Templates created by
Marlita Reddy-Hjelmfelt & Caroline Milligan
#VOST on Twitter
http://vosg.us
VOST Support Resources

13. End of Presentation
Contact Information:
Cheryl Bledsoe (@cherylble)
Cheryl.Bledsoe@clark.wa.gov
360-992-6270
#VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us
Questions & Answers