I think there are both advantages and disadvantages. Alerting the public of evacuation orders and evacuation instructions, road closures, up-to-date weather forecasts and information about agencies that are ready to help, such as the Red Cross, are benefits to using social media. Many times, there is a loss of communication among emergency response and between loved ones. Depending on social media is sometimes the only way to stay updated or to reach out for help. However, I also feel that the credibility of the news being reported may be lacking. Information is not always accurate, and often gets exaggerated. I remember reading an article last year about spammers using social media to showcase false information and photographs during different emergency events. I also think it presents a problem for people who may be hard of hearing, or do not have access to a television or the internet.

There are innovative uses of social media that emergency managers can use, especially to stay updated about changing conditions. However, I think the information received should be cross referenced to confirm accuracy, so that matters do not become complicated during critical times.

Areas of the EOC/ICS interface that I feel could potentially cause problems during a response are communications and resource management. Since the EOC is an integral part of coordinating resources, setting priorities, sharing information and promoting problem solving resolution for on-scene response, effective communication by way of, phone-to-phone, face to face, or having an intermediary, is essential for information to be transmitted back and forth (FEMA, n.d.). The effects of communications failure can be seen in the response efforts during Hurricane Katrina. Because of this, efforts for bringing in vital resources were lost, and relief efforts were significantly delayed (Department of Homeland Security, 2006). Resource management is another common problem in EOC/ICS interface. There is often a question of when ICS should contact the EOC for additional resources. As an incident expands, the need for coordination of additional resources by the EOC is vitally important (FEMA, n.d.).

(n.d.). Lesson 1: Introduction and Course Overview. In EOC Management and Operations:

Retrieved from https://emilms.fema.gov/IS775/EOCsummary.htm

Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General. (2006). A Performance Review of

FEMA’s Disaster Management Activities in Response to Hurricane Katrina (OIG-06-32).

Retrieved from https://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/Mgmt/OIG_06-32_Mar06.pdf

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