Top 10 #smem technologies: at number 4 ...GPS

I hear the cries now ... How can GPS be a social media technology ? Well, that's when I bring up the fact that "social convergence in emergency management" is actually a better moniker than "social media in emergency management". What makes this revolution possible in the world of disaster management is actually much broader than social networks.

So, my rationale for my choice of the #4 technology that enables this seismic change is the same one that made the crisis mapping platform the obvious number 5 choice: pinpointing information on a map is a priceless support to effective decision-making in an emergency.

We are far removed from the birth of the Global Positioning System's as a military tech ...It's now omnipresent. Cars will soon be able to drive passengers anywhere in safety because of it.


GPS is also everywhere in emergency management. Latest developments help authorities issue alerts faster ... for tsunamis or earthquakes for example.

GPS can help with damage assessment and can help response agencies track resources and equipment. It's a great tool for critical infrastructure operators too.

While not a new phenomenon, the geospatial revolution in emergency management has gained a lot of momentum since 2009. FEMA for one, is taking full advantage of this by inserting a "disaster reporter" feature in its mobile app that marries GPS and damage assessment ... building on the growing use of mobile tech, videos and pictures by people impacted by disasters.

That's where the power of GPS lies for emergency managers: the people they serve ... have the ability to make their lives easier ...speed up response and recovery ... by sending in information (often in the form of pics/vids) with pinpoint GPS coordinates ... that can be instantly put on a map.

Now, that's empowerment! That's why GPS, as a key component of the social convergence equation, sits at number 4 on my list of top 10 SMEM technologies.


The series so far: 

#5: the crisis mapping platform (Dec. 27)
#6: Skype and Google Hangout (Dec. 17)
#7: Facebook (Dec. 12)
#8: SMS (Dec. 8)
#9: the mobile app (Dec. 5)
#10: Youtube (Dec. 3)

Series introduction (Nov. 29)

Jim Garrow's blog 
Kim Stephen's blog

top 10 smem technologies: at number 5: the crisis mapping platform

After a bit of a hiatus (see #onstorm and #icestorm on Twitter), I'm coming back to my list of top 10 smem technologies as part of my (and Kim Stephens and Jim Garrow too) Holiday countdown tradition.

For many in emergency management, maps are a perfect visualization tool: a quick glance helps gauge the situation .... evaluate needs, anticipate deployment of resources. Nowhere is social convergence more useful ... 

The actual platform doesn't actually matter ... We all have our preferences. What is important is that crisis mapping of crowdsourced information can be a lifesaving tool. Satellite imagery, crowdsourced image verification: all the key SMEM components are there. 

It's the ideal marriage of GIS tech and social media. This was evident as recently as a few weeks ago in the response to typhoon Haiyan.

So whether it's Google Maps, ESRI, Ushahidi/Crowdmap or Tweak the Tweet, the results should be the same: collaboration among, and empowerment, of citizens/volunteers and more up-to-date info/data for agencies. When done right, that equals to greater resilience and a better response to emergencies.

There is no doubt that crisis mapping is a powerful storyteller too ... more and more media outlets frequently create their own maps during a disaster or emergency. In the current flooding in the UK for example .... or to show the aftermath of a tornado outbreak.

Academia is giving it credentials ... it's clearly the wave of the future in SMEM. That's why it's number five in the top 10 list of SMEM tech.

The series so far: 

#5: the crisis mapping platform (Dec. 27)
#6: Skype and Google Hangout (Dec. 17)
#7: Facebook (Dec. 12)
#8: SMS (Dec. 8)
#9: the mobile app (Dec. 5)
#10: Youtube (Dec. 3)

Series introduction (Nov. 29)

Jim Garrow's blog 
Kim Stephen's blog

At number 6 on the list of top 10 #smem technologies Skype (and Hangouts too !...)

Nothing quite beats Skype (and to a certain measure Google+ hangouts) for the ability to coordinate virtual teams in emergencies.

For that reason, Skype stands at number 6 on my list of top 10 #smem technologies (alongside Hangout and Vimeo among others). 

Well beyond the ability to establish a direct video link from anywhere on the planet, Skype’s chat feature provides a vital lifeline for the coordination of crisis mapping and other VOST (Virtual Operations Support Team) efforts.

As a case in point, Skype chat was the conduit for coordination and assignments for the CanVOST proof-of-concept deployment earlier this year in support of the Canadian Red Cross response to the Alberta floods. And the service is useful (as is Google Hangout) as a tool for distance/virtual training of team members. It’s a key reason the use of Skype’s chat functionality is embedded in VOST manuals.

Another key use is the ability to use video platforms (Skype and Google Hangouts) for virtual training. 

The series so far: 

#6: Skype and Google Hangout (Dec. 17)
#7: Facebook (Dec. 12)
#8: SMS (Dec. 8)
#9: the mobile app (Dec. 5)
#10: Youtube (Dec. 3)

Series introduction (Nov. 29)

Jim Garrow's blog 
Kim Stephen's blog

The top social network is at #7 on my list of top 10 SMEM tech ... yeah, Facebook !

Facebook is often the first or second social network adopted by agencies jumping on the #smem bandwagon. It's a logical next step on the social convergence continuum. 

In my various presentations to first responder and emergency management agencies, one of the few practices I recommend is to use Facebook to mirror the preparedness and emergency info that's on their website. My experience tells me that websites tend to crash under heavy volumes in a disaster while Facebook will likely stay up.

A key example of the use of Facebook to provide an emergency info lifeline is the work by the Queensland Police Service during the floods a couple of years ago. Since then, the QPS social media activities have been hailed as "best practices". When government websites experienced difficulties ... the QPS got on the social media beat with great success.


But Facebook's use goes beyond just providing information (although information IS aid ) ... it's a fantastic tool to help speed up community-led recovery. A prime demonstration of this occurred in Joplin, MO, following a devastating tornado. The citizen-created and driven Joplin Recovery Page on FB became a key engine in helping the town recover and move on. This phenomenal use of SM was noted by many commentators including Kim Stephens and Jim Garrow (my two compadres ! ). The media got in on the act too.

More recently, as tornadoes tore a path of destruction throughout the Southern US, Facebook provided a great tool to help people recover some of their belongings and cherished keepsakes. You can call it crowdsourcing hope ... as we must acknowledge the power of recovering some good and fond memories in the midst of catastrophic events.

It also helped scientist figure out the inner workings of the twisters.

If Facebook can help people reconnect with some of their belongings ... what about helping families and friends find out if disaster victims are safe? Well, it does that too! Only as a test (Disaster Message Board) in Japan at the moment but a broader rollout is not to be excluded.

Finally, FB has proven to be a very effective volunteer coordination tool. Christchurch and the aftermath of the earthquake are foremost in that regard. The Student Volunteer Army's Facebook page was the start of an extraordinary mobilization effort using socially-convergent tools.

For all those reasons and its omnipresence in our lives (particularly in older segments of the population), Facebook is a key #smem technology and sits at number 7 in my top 10 list.

The series so far: 

#7: Facebook (Dec. 12)
#8: SMS (Dec. 8)
#9: the mobile app (Dec. 5)
#10: Youtube (Dec. 3)

Series introduction (Nov. 29)

Jim Garrow's blog 
Kim Stephen's blog

at #8 on my list of top 10 SMEM technologies; SMS

The next entry in my top 10 list of socially-convergent technologies (a series of posts over the Holiday season simultaneous with SMEM thought leaders: Kim Stephens and Jim Garrow) deals with SMS (or short messaging service).

Simply put, SMS is a lifesaving technology. Combined with the power of crisis mapping platforms, SMS can great enhance the ability of authorities to fully comprehend the consequences of a disaster. 

Nowhere was this more in evidence than in Haiti, following the devastating earthquake of 2010. It turns out that mapping messages sent out on SMS can help with damage assessment.

A global community used SMS to provide very accurate information to rescue teams on the ground and to ensure aid got to where it was needed most. 

So it works. Why? Because in many parts of the world, and even in North America, despite the growing prevalence of smart/superphones ... SMS is still a favourite tool. That's why it proved essential again, as recently as in the aftermath of the recent typhoon which devastated the Philippines. 

Often, when voice networks are overburdened following a disaster, SMS messages will still go through. Is it foolproof? Probably not. But the technology is ultimately empowering in a crisis for many people around the world ... provided it's used the right way. 

Because it is such a powerful tool, with increasing uses, efforts are being made worldwide to standardize its applications in disasters.

From being part of public alerting tools to allowing the global community to come to the aid of areas impacted by disasters, SMS text messaging is here to stay in emergency management. In fact, despite possible drawbacks (think of the SMS-spread rumours that gripped India) ... more and more people are using SMS to get on social networks when/where they don't have other options ... or don't want to pay for big data plans or run down their battery!

Because of its near ubiquitous nature and its ability to be a critical lifeline in disasters/crises, the SMS tech comes in at number 8 on my top 10 list.

The series so far: 

#8: SMS (Dec. 8)
#9: the mobile app (Dec. 5)
#10: Youtube (Dec. 3)

Series introduction (Nov. 29)

Jim Garrow's blog 
Kim Stephen's blog

Top 10 social convergence tech ... at number 9: the mobile app

There everywhere ! Some people have hundreds of them on their mobile devices. Yes, mobile apps rule ... For gaming, entertainment news and banking, they help us do everything. And they can save lives too! 

It was only logical that organizations would tap into the mobile revolution and the use of devices in disasters and create all sorts of emergency management related apps. First, came the emergency preparedness app. People are on the go, so what better way to bring the EP message right to their pocket or purse? Again, the Red Cross was among the pioneers and they've continued to improve their digital prep tools ever since.

A different use of the app as a preparedness tool is to provide first aid info or ensuring that people trained in CPR are made aware of a nearby medical emergency. A very powerful tool mixing crowdsourcing, geo-location tech and the good will of Samaritans!


Another key element of the emergency communications spectrum also presented itself as a prized candidate for " app-lification  " : public alerting and notification. Examples now abound but the power of reaching people where they are with the info that will be most relevant to them to warn them of impeding events/emergencies, is something undreamed of just a few years ago when TV and sirens were often the only options.

FEMA too realized the enormous potential of the app. It also realized that there are few tools more effective to harness the power of the crowd than a mobile app that can be used by citizens to help report damage. This helps authorities make better informed decisions on where to deploy key resources in the most efficient manner. In Europe, an app helps the agency that deals with earthquake conduct rapid damage assessments by allowing citizens to share pictures instantly. The USGS also leads the way in the use of crowdsourcing to track earthquakes and gauge the damage they cause.

Whether it's for empowering citizens or adding to the array of tools used by responders, apps are key components of the social convergence phenomenon. Fact is, apps can now be put together almost instantly when needed. And a new app is now being launched using crowdsourced financing and it looks promising and very helpful ... which is critical.

No matter what kind of platform or operating system, it's designed for, an emergency app has to do the job and be easy to use to be successful and useful. When done right, the results are fantastic and empowering ... for citizens, volunteers and professionals alike. For that reason, the mobile app sits at #9 in my list of top 10 social convergence tech.

The series so far:

#9: the mobile app (Dec. 5)
#10: Youtube (Dec. 3)

Series introduction (Nov. 29)

Jim Garrow's blog 
Kim Stephen's blog

Top social convergence tech: at #10: Youtube

There is no doubt that we live in a very visual world. Picture and videos fly by us in an incessant flow of information. Emergency managers have caught on to the evocative power of video in particular.

There is no better illustration of the use of video in social convergence, than Youtube. That's why it's at the heart of this year's first entry in my holiday countdown. 

For many EM and first responder organizations, Youtube is primarily a very efficient emergency preparedness tool. Provided the content is up to par, chances are your audiences will view a cool video ... perhaps with a catchy tune. Of particular note is the now world-famous "dumb ways to die" video .... Hey! My kids learned the words at school ! 

Years after it's use as a preparedness channel was introduced, some are just now jumping on the visual social bandwagon. And that's a good thing as some famous TV personality used to say ...

Youtube is a powerful public education tool in its own right as my friend Kim Stephens so eloquently explained. Youtube's cousins, Vimeo or the newcomer Vine, are also used effectively.

But the power of Youtube extends beyond EP. It's a great professional learning tool as well for the EM community ... to learn the basics of Twitter for example, or what social convergence means for crisis comms and EM.

But for me, a real illustration of the power of Youtube is the ability to amplify your message during a crisis. The platform gives organizations the ability to build on the strengths of traditional media. Not everyone can make it to your news conference ... why not tape it yourself and put it online for all your audiences to see?

And why stop there? Youtube offers you the ability to become your own broadcaster so you don't have to rely on media. It's their new livestream capability:  

 To me, that's now a critical element of any crisis comms response plan: the ability to tell your own story. Whether on Youtube or Ustream or LiveStream ... nothing beats being your own director.

For all the reasons above, Youtube sits at #10 in my list of top social convergence technologies or platforms.


Series introduction

Jim Garrow's blog 
Kim Stephen's blog