Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2015

Publication Title

IAEM Bulletin

Volume

32

Issue

6

First Page

26

Last Page

27

Abstract

Several communications tools are used by emergency management agencies (EMAs) to disseminate emergency alerts and warnings, including sirens, television, radio and telephones. In recent years, some EMAs have begun to use social media for a variety of emergencies to relay important information to the public and to engage the citizenry in useful discussions on preparedness and recovery. In a 2014 survey of 139 FEMA approved alert authorities, nearly 90% of respondents indicated that they use social media to disseminate public alerts. However, there are still late adopters. In addition, social media use is not universal or uniform across all EMAs. The findings presented in this article are based on interviews of representatives from 13 emergency management agencies (at the state and local level) in different locations across the United States.

Comments

© 2015 DeeDee Bennett.

These articles previously appeared in the IAEM Bulletin, the official monthly newsletter of the International Association of Emergency Managers. Learn about IAEM at www.iaem.com.

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