Officials Turn To Twitter During Emergencies

OSP On Twitter (Added: March 10, 2009)

Local officials are on board to use social media to help communicate when disaster strikes. (more)

0 Ratings | 0 Video Views

By: | NBC4i.com
Published: March 10, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency is on board to use social media to help communicate when disaster strikes.

Now, some local emergency responders are following suit, NBC 4’s Mikeala Hunt reported.

During times of emergency, Web sites like www.twitter.com could make it possible to communicate with officials and your neighbors through your computer or cell phone.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has a Twitter account. An OSP spokesperson said you’ll find the account blank right now, but that they plan to use it to communicate with media when major events happen.

The Ohio Department of Public Safety is trying to do its own research about social networking.

The Ohio Emergency Management Agency, which is under the department of public safety, is trying to identify the best way to utilize social networking sites in the next six months. They want a plan in place to communicate about disasters, Hunt reported.

Officials said they know that social networking and posting messages on their Web sites will help during upcoming severe months.

For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail stories@nbc4i.com.
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video