The Hard Sell Setting the Scene Flood Alerts Results

In addition, 97% of attendees reported that they intended to take action on what they learned.

Emergency responders in New Hampshire rely on traditional, one-way

communication channels. However, local and national data suggest that

social media is an increasingly effective communication channel during

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.

After “The Hard Sell”, participants assume the role of a fictional Ridge

County organization. Each organization has a fictional Facebook and Twitter

account to manage for their organization. The presenters play the role of a

concerned citizen who interacts with the organizations on social media.

The hands-on experience of applying social media in an emergency scenario helps

participants gain technical skills, increase their level of comfort, and practice how

they would use the tools during an emergency in a no-fault, no-pressure environment. Pre- and post-assessments

of participants demonstrated the following results:

Granite Town

Fire Department

Granite Public

Health Network

Ridge Hospital Granite Town

Police Granite Town Granite Town

Resident

Authors Funding

Arielle Slam & Alyson Cobb

JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc.

This project was financed under an Agreement with the State of New

Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public

Health Services with funds provided by the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not

necessarily represent the official views of the Division of Public Health Services

or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Get an e-handout here:

http://scr.bi/DSSMR2012

and here

The Hard Sell

Setting the Scene

Results

After roles have been assigned, a fictional flood scenario is introduced. As the

flood progresses during the 5-hour exercise, participants are guided through the

steps to communicate with their fictional audiences using Facebook and Twitter.

Flood Alerts

Flood Alerts Examples Social Media

Activities

A flood watch is issued for

Ridge County due to rapid

snow melt and rainfall that may

result in overflow of

streams, rivers and lakes.

Evacuation is recommended

for low lying areas of

Ridge County.

Residents are unsure if it is safe

to return home after the flood.

The flood recedes.

Like a Facebook page of a

Ridge County partner.

Post Facebook status update

about flood preparedness

Tweet a flood warning

incorporating #FloodFake.

Retweet the strongest tweet

from fellow participants.

Follow an organization on

Twitter.

Post a link to a Google map of

shelter sites.

Repurpose or share a relevant

article using a social plug-in.

Tweet an image of the flood.

Respond to a concerned

resident’s tweet.

Post a poll on your wall.

Thank fans and followers.

Increase between pre- and post-assessments in… Facebook Twitter

Understanding of characteristics that make the tool

useful for emergency preparedness and response. 133% 238%

Comfort using the tool in a professional setting 75% 325%

Haiti Earthquake Interagency communications

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 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.

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

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

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