The social media manifesto: A comprehensive review of the impact of social media on emergency management

Adam Crowe, Assistant Director of Community Preparedness for Johnson County Emergency Management & Homeland Security, Kansas

Abstract
Over the past five years, social media have impacted emergency management and disaster response in numerous ways. The emergency management professional must begin to accept this impact not as an arbitrary consequence of an uncontrolled disaster, but rather as a tool to help coordinate, manage and facilitate a safe and expected response during emergencies and disasters. This article will explain the power and purpose of social media as well as how social media systems have equalised capabilities for all levels and sizes of government. Moreover, this article will also highlight the social media systems that are being used as operational tools as well as what the future holds. Lastly, common implementation challenges will be discussed through a look at systematic approaches to applying social media in emergency management as a positive and valuable tool.

Keywords
social media, Web 2.0, emergency management, Twitter, Facebook

Adam Crowe is a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) and Kansas Certified Emergency Manager (KCEM) who currently serves as the Assistant Director of Community Preparedness for Johnson County (KS) Emergency Management & Homeland Security. He has spoken at numerous national conferences in the USA and his work has been published in several professional journals including the Journal of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, Journal of Homeland Security Affairs and the Disaster Recovery Journal. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Jacksonville State University and a bachelor’s degree from Clemson University.

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