Monique Davis Hudson Regional Health Commission Secaucus, NJ

Transcription

1 Monique Davis Hudson Regional Health Commission Secaucus, NJ

2 Located due west of Lower Manhattan Bordered by the Passaic, Hudson and Hackensack Rivers and the Upper New York, Kill Van Kull and Newark Bays Most significant water damage from the tidal surge (>10 ft) in Hoboken, Jersey City, Bayonne and Secaucus Entire county affected by power outages for periods of close to 14 days

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12 Regional Health Commission that supports local health departments, emergency management officials (county & local), hospitals and other partners during public health emergencies As such, we support, but do not assume the lead of public information dissemination within the county

13 Pre-Storm: Reviewed local official Twitter Accounts and followed if not doing so already (many set up new accounts just prior to storm) Preparedness messages for the public were sent out via Twitter Also used our Twitter Account and MRC Facebook Page to notify Medical Reserve Corps volunteers about need to mobilize for assignments

14 After the Storm: Retweeted various official accounts NJDOH state assistance information Local and county OEM, PIO handles Local town Twitter accounts-much more townspecific information Town hotlines Debris removal Road closures Open Pharmacies Local media Disclaimer: Verify information for accuracy! (ie: Patch accounts)

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16 Followed and retweeted official accounts that focused on a variety of topics PSEG service restoration estimates Red Cross mobile food truck schedules Distress Helpline emotional well being FEMA Region II Assistance Center info Poison Control safe generator use

17 Issued own tweets: Some directed people to our website for fact sheets on mold identification and treatment; cleaning and sanitizing; food safety and power outages, pet safety information, etc. Re-emphasized importance of emergency preparedness in days immediately following storm Reminded residents to restock go kit for expected Nor Easter on Day 9 after Sandy Others had information on volunteer opportunities with our Medical Reserve Corps Tweeted about recovery resources such FEMA Assistance Centers, mental health resources, etc.

18 Loss of power didn t guarantee computer or smartphone access to social media HRHC had just launched Twitter, so few followers Difficult to measure impact of information dissemination; lack of funds Was one of many responsibilities during storm For our agency, some lag time as we waited for other county partners to engage social media first Relied upon peoples ability to charge smartphones or computer If no smartphone, loss of cable/dsl also became an issue

19 Cannot rely directly on social media during power outages in early hours after storm. Agency must have a multi-layered approach. Plan for door-to-door info dissemination if safe Know who your Twitter partners are: Engage them Request they follow you and retweet Keep checking back for new accounts! Do your best to build your follower base ahead of emergencies Link to agency website when possible Can quantify number of site visits Helps to positions your agency as credible source Monitor the landscape in order to respond to residents concerns and dispel myths and rumors Smartphones were lifelines. Somehow, someway, people found a way to charge devices to obtain information.

20 THANK YOU!!