By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    What Are the Benefits of CBD?
    November 27, 2021
    How to Measure Adult Diapers- The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Right Size
    March 8, 2022
    medicine cabinet
    The Effect Of Finished Dosage Form Manufacturing In New Drugs
    July 5, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    writing medical training manuals
    Important Tips For Writing Medical Training Manuals
    October 28, 2020
    BioPharma Beat logo
    BioPharma Beat: mHealth Apps – to Regulate or Not to Regulate
    May 12, 2015
    Tips for Small Businesses to Reduce Healthcare Costs
    February 5, 2021
    Latest News
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 18, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Social Media in Disasters – What’s in Your Disaster Toolkit?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Global Healthcare > Social Media in Disasters – What’s in Your Disaster Toolkit?
Global Healthcare

Social Media in Disasters – What’s in Your Disaster Toolkit?

Donna Speckhard
Last updated: September 24, 2011 9:20 am
Donna Speckhard
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

 

 

I read an article in Scientific America that discussed a recently released NOAA report that said many people in Joplin, on May 22nd, failed to take action to protect themselves even though there were tornado warning systems in place.  Unfortunately, this makes me look really stupid since I had assumed and stated that having a tornado warning system in place probably saved more lives and that the death toll would have been much higher.  I am not alone in my false assumption.  The main finding in this report is that people had grown desensitized to the initial warnings delivered through sirens, warnings on TV, radio, internet, and other media.  What finally worked, to get people to act, was confirmed credible warning – like seeing the funnel cloud, or the visuals provided in other media.

I can imagine this also happens during Hurricane Season, when coastal towns are forced to evacuate only to have little to no damage.  After so many ”drills” – residents decide to stay versus dealing with the hassle of evacuating.  Obviously this is a huge mistake.  If you warn people too much, warnings lose their intensity, if you warn people too little, you lose lives and you have to answer to why there weren’t enough warnings.  Joplin could have been worse.  The F5 tornado moved slowly giving many people time to realize the intense danger they were facing.  Not all disasters happen like that.  So how do we get credible information out there to the masses and can we force change in how people view warnings?

Yesterday I toured a 9-1-1 center.  It’s a first rate operation but even they shared their reluctancy to use new technology until “all the bugs have been worked out”.  When asked how they plan to use social media, we were told that 9-1-1 centers are all faced with not when but how they will incorporate social media into their processes.  For example, texting 9-1-1- while hidden in a closet when someone is breaking in to their home or providing video or photos of a crime in progress.  There are many challenges they face.  During the earthquake in Virginia this 9-1-1 center said that 70% of the calls they received were anxiety related and not true emergencies.  So outreach to the public through social media on the use of social media for TRUE emergencies will be just one of the many things they will need to address.  Crisis Incident Stress Debriefing will also have to change to address the stress call center staff will have once they view a crime taking place or are exposed to other disturbing images.  But what 9-1-1 centers can’t afford to do is overlook the importance of the role social media plays during disasters for public health and safety – which is pushing credible information out to a mass audience.  But it also has benefits to emergency management other than just pushing information out there.

More Read

How a New Patient Experience Model Will Drive the Future of Connected Healthcare?
Mobile Health Around the Globe: Bonus Video! An Overview of Mobile Innovations
Coal Plant Clean-Up: Health Benefits Exceed Industry Costs
Mayo Clinic Center for Social Media: Lee Aase [PODCAST]
How to Start Your Own Medical Practice

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) just released a report called “Social Media and Disasters:  Current Uses, Future Options, and Policy Considerations“.     CRS acknowledges the role social media has played over the last 5 years in emergencies and disasters, stating that “…social media sites rank as the fourth most popular source to access emergency information.”  The report breaks social media into two categories of use.  The first being a push system of information – with feedback from their audience (by following, retweeting, posting, liking, reblogging, etc.) and the second as a “emergency management tool”.  The second category is my favorite and is slowly being integrated (although not wholeheartedly embraced) by Federal, State, Tribunal, and local agencies.  Social media can be used in this way to:

  • Provide emergency communications
  • Upload images for damage estimates
  • Provide situational awareness too responders
  • Receive assistance requests
  • Emergency warnings and alerts
  • Citizen awareness and outreach
  • and more!

Changing people’s desensitized attitude toward warnings is going to take time.  Organizations need to work at getting their messages across and at the same time provide outreach and awareness.  During a disaster ask yourself what’s in your toolkit?

 

Scridb filter

TAGGED:disaster preparednesssocial media
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025
How Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health and Daily Life
How Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health and Daily Life
Mental Health
June 18, 2025
healthcare facilities
Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
Global Healthcare Infographics
June 15, 2025
from gut to glow
From Plate to Wellness: How Everyday Foods Nourish Your Body Inside and Out
Dental health Infographics Specialties
June 15, 2025

You Might also Like

Has China Done a Good Job Handling H7N9?

May 17, 2013

The Age of the ePatient: Not Quite There Yet

July 26, 2011

Looking Ahead to an Unpredictable Future

November 2, 2011
Image
Global HealthcareHospital Administration

Covering the Needs of Patients in Nizhny Novgorod

December 17, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?