Panel Verdict: Government preparedness planners could use an "attitude adjustment"

The rapid expansion of social media and mobile communications clearly dictates that government agencies need to completely re-think their attitudes with regard to the role this new technology now plays in emergency preparedness.  This was the collective and overwhelming conclusion reached by panelists and audience members in attendance at the October panel discussion conducted by the National Policy Institute in Washington D.C.

"Because of the revolution in social media, [people] expect an answer, and we're not happy to just roll with whatever recording we get on the telephone," said Scott Bates, the center's vice president for national security. He also stressed the need for the official responses of responsible government agencies to be integrated with citizens' increasingly organized response to disasters.

Also attending the event was Michael Dunaway, previously program manager for the Homeland Security Department's enhancing public response and community resilience project, who pointed out that the government is still unprepared to receive on-the-spot data from public in the event of a wide-scale emergency.

With regard to taking advantage of the technology and incorporating various social media into emergency warning and notification, progress is indeed being made.  But as we're reminded by the conclusions of this panel discussion, it remains an area where many in government are still playing catch up.

 For more information, here is the webpage for the National Policy Institute's recent event:

 http://www.centerfornationalpolicy.org/ht/display/ContentDetails/i/35159

*Image Credit: "Connecting America" Stephen Flynn & Scott Bates