Let's get started on the new series of post on how to integrate social media into emergency management programs. The first post deals with the starting points. Many organizations are still debating whether or not to join the social media bandwagon. Here's an excerpt from the post that introduced this series to set the stage:

NO SM: we still hear some EM types go: ..." I don't have time or the resources, or the money, to get into social media ..." or "... I don't know enough about it" ... or even ..."it's a fad and will go a way, we need official tools to communicate ..."  What's our job: to educate, prod, convince and lead by example. Expand our knowledge of best practices and show good ROI

For a quick intro to what social media is ... a good explanatory video here. And to give you an idea of how big social media is in Canada.

Let's look at these arguments: pros and cons. First, let's deal with the easiest to rebuke. No social media is not a fad. This classic video/demo should help convince even the most reluctant of emergency managers.

The second most frequently encountered argument is: "We don't have a social media policy" ... Well, that should be no reason to get scared really. There are now hundreds of published such policies online that can be adapted for use by almost any organization. Here's a few links that can help in that regard:

• a fantastic repository of policies from the public and private sectors as well as for NGOs 
• a link to many government (US) agencies social media policies

 And here's a good link ... a social media guide for Red Cross volunteers.

Social media use is not without risk for first responder agencies and emergency management organizations. A bad policy will often be worse than no policy. For example, there are key privacy issues to be examined when crafting and implementing a social media policy. Ensuring your field personnel are familiar with that policy is critical. A basic training program for your employees on that policy should help avert/prevent crises.

Having said that, your social media policy shouldn't, well, be anti-social .... Barring your employees from accessing social media sites is considered by many to be very unproductive. It might actually hinder your recruitment efforts and trying to get a new generation of workers for your organization who rely on social networks as part of their daily activities ... and by the way ... don't you expect your employees to check their blackberry device before or after work? on the weekend? So, what's the harm to them doing the same for their own accounts while they're on your dime? The distincion between work and play has become blurred in the age of social convergence. 

That's it for now ... the next post will look at the real cost of those "free" social networks and how to maximize your return on investments using social media.

Stay tuned!