Social media has already demonstrated a proven track record in disaster response and social networks are frequently replacing 911 in requests for help by people during disasters, according to an infographic released yesterday by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) via Twitter.
The information released through the FEMA Lessons Learned Information Sharing (LLIS) program says that 20 percent of survivors during a disaster contact emergency responders through social media, websites or email, while 44 percent ask online friends to contact responders. The LLIS program serves as a national, online network of lessons learned, best practices and creative ideas for the emergency management and homeland security communities.
The infographic says that of survivors using social media during disasters, 35 percent post a request for help on a responder’s Facebook while 25 percent send direct Twitter messages. It also says that 80 percent of Americans expect emergency management agencies to “monitor and respond to social media platforms.”
FEMA says that “With social media use ever on the rise, social networks have become a primary source of news and information.”
FEMA says that 18 percent of disaster survivors retrieve emergency information through Facebook, 37 percent use information on social media to buy supplies and find shelter, and 76 percent contact friends to make sure they are safe. It also says disaster-related software applications are increasingly used and that 20 percent of Americans have used an emergency app.
Prior to Hurricane Sandy, which hammered New York and New Jersey last fall, FEMA tweeted on Twitter that phone lines might be congested during and after the storm and that people should contact loved ones via a text or by updating their social networks. The infographic also says that 23 Red Cross staffers monitored 2.5 million Sandy-related social media postings and tagged 4,500 of them for official to follow up on.
“From raising money to locating survivors, it’s clear that social media is quickly becoming the most efficient outlet for managing disaster response,” FEMA says.