Virtual Operations Support Teams Briefing Concept Cheryl
Bledsoe (@cherylble) Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency
(CRESA) [email protected] 360-992-6270 #VOST on Twitter
http://vosg.us
Slide 2
Social Media Changes Emergency Response Provides the ability
for information to be shared rapidly Increases the amount of visual
data that is available from people on the scene Offers Emergency
Response Organizations access to a Haystack of information #VOST on
Twitter http://vosg.us
Slide 3
What is a Virtual Operations Support Team? Team of Trusted
agents, organized and directed by EM Response Organizations
Incident Management Teams Incident PIOs Emergency Operations
Centers) VOST teams are given social media and web-based missions
to manage #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us
Slide 4
Tasked Information finding Spot Trends Information
dissemination Autonomous Monitoring public voice Amplifying
official message Monitor Curate Amplify #VOST on Twitter
http://vosg.us How can VOST assist EM Agencies?
Slide 5
United States New Zealand Canada Europe #VOST on Twitter
http://vosg.us Where Are VOST Teams Currently?
Slide 6
Emergency Managers (from other areas), Public Information
Officers, Intel Analysts, High-Tech Staff, Social Media Savvy
Supporters, Students and Volunteers from diverse backgrounds! #VOST
on Twitter http://vosg.us Who Makes Up a VOST Team?
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Benefits of a VOST Ability to Focus on Web Variety of Skills
& Abilities Available, based on networks of participants
Ability to See Trends & Issues Provides a Filter for EM
Response Agencies #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us
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Disaster occurs/event selected Decision to activate. Activated
by EOC or self activated to ensure data is collated ASAP Set tasks,
priorities, schedule, tools/platforms VOST expands/contracts
according to Incident command principles Deactivation, discussion,
documentation, AAR Exercises between activations to stay current on
tools & platforms Concept #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us VOST
Instance Cycle
Slide 9
Step 1: EM Organization activates VOST team leader, (or VOST
decides to self-deploy if pre-arranged with criteria) Step 1: EM
Organization activates VOST team leader, (or VOST decides to
self-deploy if pre-arranged with criteria) Step 2: VOST Team Lead
activates local and nonlocal team members Step 2: VOST Team Lead
activates local and nonlocal team members TL Activations may vary
and be subject to change based on pre arrangements with EM
agencies. #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us VOST Activation
Slide 10
Activations may vary and be subject to change based on pre
arrangements with EM agencies. #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us
Types of VOST Missions Wildfire: Slower Evolving Missions Develop
Incident Presence Disseminate & Amplify Often in Rural
Communities Dynamic Incidents: (Tornadoes / Severe Weather) Find
unaddressed concerns Gather Damage Assessment Law Enforcement:
Intelligence / Monitoring Training / Exercise: Practice, Practice,
Practice
Slide 11
Activations may vary and be subject to change based on pre
arrangements with EM agencies. #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us
Preparing a VOST Team Emergency Management Entity Understand the
Need Become Familiar with Social Media Identify Types of Missions
Achieve Agency Buy-In Recruit Team Members Establish Protocols
Train/Exercise
Slide 12
VOST Website: http://vosg.us which is maintained by Joanna Lane
(@joannalane)http://vosg.us Skype Coordination Room called All
Things VOS for general chat-based coordination VOST Leadership
Coalition Monthly Teleconference on last Friday of each month to
debrief incidents & exercises Cheryl Bledsoe, Facilitator
Orange County VOST Creation CRESA Field Operations Guide Google Doc
Workbook Templates created by Marlita Reddy-Hjelmfelt &
Caroline Milligan Google Doc Workbook Templates #VOST on Twitter
http://vosg.us VOST Support Resources
Slide 13
End of Presentation Contact Information: Cheryl Bledsoe
(@cherylble) [email protected][email protected] 360-992-6270 #VOST on Twitter
http://vosg.us Questions & Answers