Floods and Social Media FMA quarterly meeting November 2011
Introduction ABC news Brisbane, Januray 19th 2011 ABC news Brisbane, Januray 19th 2011
Ignoring the Hype Social Media is more versatile and robust than all other communication options Studies show that people are far less likely to lie when using electronic communication Social Media is now a key component of any emergency response effort
Brisbane Council Brisbane City Council had 2 person “social media” teams working 24 hours during the emergency
Live Twitter Example Youtube video of the live #qldfloods twitter feed on January 11th, 2011 Youtube video of the live #qldfloods twitter feed on January 11th, 2011
Social Capital Online communities using social media are extending and reconnecting real communities Improved social capital greatly reduces the negative impacts of natural disasters
A new partnership While it may not be a partnership that is acknowledged by legal documentation or public representation, emergency management services must partner with social media services to better manage information sources and crisis response