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| Arizona Wildfire Academy in Prescott, AZ |
At first glance, government using
social media might sound a little strange. You might think, “Why is my city
government posting on Facebook?” or “Why is my state government tweeting?” In today’s
tech age, it is undeniable that social media plays an integral role in
information exchange and can be a powerful tool to create dialogue. As government
entities search for ways of serving citizens
more efficiently and keeping them informed, departments like the Arizona Department
of Emergency and Military Affairs are considering ways to digitally engage with
stakeholders, partners, and the community. In order to communicate and serve
the public effectively, government needs to go where the people are—and that is
on social media.
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| Social Media Students |
The potential for informing,
engaging, and inspiring constituents online is endless. I recently learned this lesson through a course on social media and incident
response at the Arizona
Wildfire Academy. During this course, it
became evident to me that social media is not only a way of connecting with
your community, but also a resource that can potentially help save lives and
keep people safe.
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| Students Practice Filming on Facebook Live |
This two-day crash course, taught by
Michelle Fidler, National Park Service’s Fire Communication and Education
Specialist, and Dolores Garcia, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land
Management’s Public Affairs Specialist, was designed to give students an
understanding of how to use platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, and
Twitter during wildfire emergencies. We practiced the basics from posting on
timelines and creating pages to best practices regarding how to interact with followers
during emergencies and how to monitor media for misinformation and rumor
control. The diverse emergency management backgrounds of the students made for
an interesting exchange of ideas, tips, and experiences. Some participants
represented in-state agencies and departments such as, the Arizona
Department of State Forestry and Fire Management, the National Weather Service Phoenix, and various fire departments. Students representing government
agencies outside of Arizona also participated in the course and gave a unique
out-of-state perspective.
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| Morning Briefings at the Academy |
Now in its 15th year, the Arizona Wildfire Academy teaches a variety of courses on wildfire emergency response. During my time at the Academy, I learned that I was part of the 9,000 students that have gone through the program since its inception. Learning social media techniques and strategies was not only a chance for me to hone my skills as a Public Information Officer, but an opportunity to train alongside others who also work towards creating safer communities. Studying social media with emergency responders showed that beyond puppy dog videos and cooking recipes, social networks can be a place where important information regarding emergencies and preparedness can be shared with our families, friends, and communities.
For updates on incidents and fire
preparedness information, visit these social media sites.
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