Social Media How it can work for you

What is Social Media Pros and Cons Overcoming the fear How to develop a Social Media Policy Implementation How MACECOM uses Facebook Evaluating your messages What’s Next Questions?

What is Social Media so·cial me·di·a noun Websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking.

Pros and Cons Pros Cons A free way to communicate with the public Creates good public relations tools Promotes Public Education Updates Media during incidents Reduces informational calls into the 9-1-1 center Cons Might say something stupid Takes time and focus Acceptance by staff Record Retention and Public Disclosure

Overcoming the fear What are YOUR fears?

How to Develop a Social Media Policy Don’t reinvent the wheel Research other agency policies Look at the APCO Best Practices for The Use of Social Media in Public Safety Communications Make it flexible Set the seed ahead of time for board approval Communication to users is key

Implementation Keep it simple Start small and build on it Determine who and how you will post Set permissions for users Build predetermined set messages

How MACECOM uses Facebook General Informational Postings – General Staff (any immediate need to know posting) Examples: 1. PUD reporting a power outage in the area of (Street info ) due to ( power line down, Car vs pole, ext).   Check the Mason PUD 3 Facebook page for updates. To report outages please call PUD at 360- 426-8255, 360-275-2833, or 360-877-5249. Please do not call 9-1-1 or MACECOM to report outage or for updates. 2. Road Closure: Due to a water main break the City Water Department has closed the area of S 2ND St / W Wyandotte Ave And S 3rd St/ W Euclid Ave to make repairs. This started at 9:30 am and and should be completed around 3:00 pm. 3. Mason Fire 4 on scene with powerlines across a vehicle in the area of the Kamilche Point lane. The Vehicle is Occupied, the occupants are safe inside the vehicle. PUD is in the progress of cutting the power.

How MACECOM uses Facebook cont… Special Informational Postings – Pre Determined Staff (directors, supervisors, public education liaison, PIO)

Evaluating your messages

Most Common Reviewed Likes Reach Post Videos People

Likes

Reach

Post

Videos

People

What’s Next Evaluate multiple media posting software Review up and coming social media platforms Look at ways to increase page Likes Continue to solicit feedback from staff – Keeping the Habit Continue to review Policy and Procedure

Questions?

Contact Information Cathy Field cfield@macecom.org Mary Ransier mransier@macecom.org Like us on