Business911 International, Inc.

The DHS is monitoring social networks for security reasons, are you?

This is an interesting article about the DHS monitoring social networks during the 2010 Winter Olympics.  I believe we will see more of this activity since it gives those in public information positions a portal into what may be going on in an area of interest.

The important point here is not that the DHS is monitoring information; it is the opportunity for all of us to develop relationships and areas of interest we can monitor during an incident.  All groups could benefit from sharing information (albeit not always factual) including businesses, schools, churches, and communities.  One great way to share information as an alternate to other methods during an emergency is Twitter or Facebook.

As required by law, the DHS has published a Privacy Impact Statement about its monitoring activity--in this case monitoring social media outlets for security reasons for the Vancouver Winter Olympics.    the full article is available at: http://www.emergencymgmt.com/emergency-blogs/crisis-comm/DHS-Monitoring-Social-Media.html

Texas Ministry Conference Wrap-up

  Noah had a plan. 

(Houston, TX) The 2010 Texas Ministry conference was completed yesterday at Champion Forest Baptist Church.  There were a wide variety of presentations including several on the use of Social Media.  I attended one session which provided the basics on setup of Twitter and Facebook account, and what each could be used for in the ministry.

I had the pleasure of delivering two presentations on "Preparing for the unexpected".  It was a basic level introduction into how to develop an emergency plan/ communications for an organization.  Several churches represented in the sessions are already using Twitter and/or Facebook on a regular basis.

One of my key points during the presentation was using the tools you have during an incident, and having an alternative.  I suggested that Twitter had enormous benefits, and it most cases it's probably already in use.  One must determine how it will be used during an emergency, and also know it is dynamic information that may or may not be accurate.

During the conference a light plane struck a commercial building in Austin, TX.  I began receiving Tweets very quickly, and one was from USNORTHCOM (NORAD).  When our normal communication systems are down, like cellular, sometimes text messaging works, the point is: always have an alternative.  One of the best ways to reach the masses, is not necessarily to have everyones' cell number, or email, but for each person to know where to "go" to get breaking/critical information.

What is your organization's Twitter address?

Presentation: PreparingForTheUnexepectedPublic delivered at conference Feb 18, 2009.

Late breaking news - Authorities charge two in Texas church fire

Additional resources recommended during conference:

Upright Ministries - Emergency Response Publication

Noah Had a Plan -   COOP Magazine Article aug. 2009

Business911 Int'l -   Houses of Worship - Archives

 

Disasters 2.0 Conference Addresses Social Media Use

Interesting article on the mid-west of the United States collaborating among the private and public sector to establish best practices for social media usage in emergecny management.

Full link at: http://www.emergencymgmt.com/disaster/Disasters-20-Conference-Social-Media-Use.html

Is social media really that big a deal?

You, or people you know are actively using social media.  I'm often asked why I believe those in infra-structure protection, IT security, and people in general should even be using the technology.  I simply respond it's just one more tool in the toobox, but you should have in the box, and ready to go.

Unless you've been living under a rock, there is no deying the power of such tools.  As we saw in Iran, and we are seeing in Haiti, the use of this technology brings critical information to the airwaves from eye witnesses on the scene.  We have heard stories of applications like Twitter being used to locate hostages, find people trapped in rubble, and we now use Twitter to provide on the ground observations of seismic activity (the USGS TED system).

I'm not saying that there aren't risks of using social media, but they are managable.  Just like I wouldn't put my utility knive back in the tool box with the blade exposed, I shouldn't take unessarry risks using social media.

Ask any Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) person the difficulty of locating people who may be trapped or injured, by "searching" with limited technology and dogs, and compare it to knowing where someone is specifically trapped and the job becomes more rescue than search.

Understanding not eveyone will have cell phones, nor will cellular/texting services always be available we should encourage our public sector agencies to adopt a means to communciate with the citizens during a mass casualty event, in order to reduce the "search" timeline and provide more time for rescue.

Here is link to a blog that describes "Social Media’s True Impact on Haiti, China, and the World"

Janusaitis to speak at Texas Ministry Conference

Bob Janusaitis is scheduled to present "Preparing for the Unexpected" at the Texas Ministry Conference in Houston, TX on Feb 18, 2010.

http://www.churchco-op.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=122:robert-g-janusaitis&catid=42:speakers&Itemid=111 

Reducing violence in workplaces and schools

Links to programs aiming to reduce violence at workplaces and schools, and how to respond to events that do occur.

http://www.csemag.com/blog/Give_and_Take/26287-Reducing_violence_in_workplaces_and_schools.php

Crisis Counseling Certification training

The Faith-Based Counselor Training Institute, Inc. is holding training sessions on Crisis Counseling.  Since the passage of House Bill 2481 the Texas legislature opened the doors for the "faith community" to be able to acquire a State recognized counselor certification through accreditation by a well-credentialed, private sector religious training entity. REfer to the website for additional information.  http://www.faithbasedcounseling.com/

Emergency Response Planning Document for Churches

Upright Minisries Guide for churches to develop an emergency response plan

http://www.uprightministries.com/clientimages/45314/emergencyresponsepublication.pdf

Do not-for-profits or houses-of-worship need continuity plans?

Today there is a greater awareness of risks to not-for-profits and houses-of-worship than in previous years.  The news media has produced videos of flooding, hurricanes, tornados, fires, and armed intruders.  The question one must ask is: "Will I be ready to provide my services to those who rely on it regularly, or expect the services to be available after a disaster?"

Today, it is not only a matter continuing operations, but continuing services/ministries to people when they need it the most.

A straight forward, simple ,pre-established plan will provide the confidence needed to survive a disaster.

Organizational Resiliency