Social Media in Risk and Crisis Communication

These media channels are important building blocks for crisis communication and information gathering. Therefore, it is essential for all aid organizations, such as fire departments and rescue services, as well as control centers, command, and crisis management teams, to be informed about this topic. How can Facebook, Instagram, and similar platforms support operations at the incident site and in the command center?

Especially during escalating events, the communication situation in the first few hours is almost impossible to oversee: photos and videos from the accident scene spread within minutes. Onlookers and relatives of those affected arrive at the scene because they learned about the incident via social media. Already at this point, the first false reports are circulating, which have been posted intentionally or unintentionally on social media channels, unsettling the public. Press representatives may also adopt unverified information from observers, leading to photos and information appearing in established media in an incorrect context. In local groups, spontaneous volunteers coordinate via Facebook and WhatsApp. The social media world quickly becomes an unmanageable information jungle.

In our seminar, we present possibilities and solutions for bringing structure to your digital operational section. We explain why the right personnel selection and pre-planned access to relevant social media channels are important components for successful media work. Using current examples, we demonstrate how you can successfully start in the world of digital risk and crisis communication and develop a tailored social media strategy for your organization with your team. In the event of a rapidly escalating incident, we will plan with you which units can effectively support you in such cases and how you can efficiently interact with spontaneous volunteers digitally.