One of my mantras to people who come to work in an EOC is this: "The first report is almost always wrong." I tell them to remember that and stick it in their brain for immediate recall when notified of an event. This does not mean that you do not respond based on the first report. I call it "Riding to the sound of the guns." You jump on your horse and get to the EOC as quickly as possible to:
What is in accurate about this statement?
Maybe we need to redefine the word "confirmed?"
Which brings me to the social media part of this blog posting. Social media can help you paint the picture and bring situational awareness to what is happening during an event. Naysayers for social media decry the accuracy and that you can't trust citizen reporters and what they are reporting. I ask you, "Might eye witness accounts--with photos attached" be better than confirmed reports from three star generals at news conferences?
Yes--there can be errors in reporting by the average Joe and Sally, but those errors via official reports happen every day.
Tap into social media! Just because you personally don't use it doesn't mean other reliable people who have cell phones and smart phones (mobile computers) are not ready and available to be part of your information network.
Remember you can even ask them questions during the event and create a conversation.
Top
- Collect information
- Assess the situation
- Support the field response
- Coordinate activities
- 12 dead, 31 wounded.
- 1 confirmed shooter was killed - Major with an Arabic name in his late 30s.
- 2 other suspected gunmen
- 1 Fort Hood DoD Policeman killed
- Shootings occurred in Soldier Readiness Facility which is comprised of multiple facilities. Primary shooter used handguns.
What is in accurate about this statement?
- Shooter killed
- 2 other "suspected" gunmen
- 1 Fort Hood DoD Policeman Killed
Maybe we need to redefine the word "confirmed?"
Which brings me to the social media part of this blog posting. Social media can help you paint the picture and bring situational awareness to what is happening during an event. Naysayers for social media decry the accuracy and that you can't trust citizen reporters and what they are reporting. I ask you, "Might eye witness accounts--with photos attached" be better than confirmed reports from three star generals at news conferences?
Yes--there can be errors in reporting by the average Joe and Sally, but those errors via official reports happen every day.
Tap into social media! Just because you personally don't use it doesn't mean other reliable people who have cell phones and smart phones (mobile computers) are not ready and available to be part of your information network.
Remember you can even ask them questions during the event and create a conversation.
