Reaching Out to You with New Media

As Public Information Officer (PIO) for TCEM, part of my job entails communicating with the public and the media during emergencies and non-emergencies. Traditionally, the means to do this have been limited to the annual Tooele County Emergency Preparedness Calendar, public presentations and information booths, booklets and brochures, and specifically for the media, news releases and interviews.

That's about to change. Along with those traditional methods, TCEM is beginning to utilize what's being called by some "new media." You may know it as "social media." Either way, we are incorporating new technology to send emergency messages, alerts and warning notifications, and preparedness information.

Anyone can follow TCEM on Twitter.com to receive potentially life-saving information. TCEM Tweets are also shown on this blog. The blog also features TCEM Audio Alerts which the public and media can listen to for the latest information concerning specific incidents.

As PIO, I am still learning how to use these and many more new media tools to increase outreach and dissemination of emergency public information in a timely and accurate manner. These efforts will supplement, not replace, our other important alert and notification methods which include: the Emergency Alert System on TV and radio, our Sirens and Highway Message Boards, the Tone Alert Radios (NOAA weather radios), route alerting (police car and fire engine PA systems), and telephone calling trees.

Hopefully when the time comes that you really need that critical emergency information, you'll know how to get it.