Virtual Operations Support Teams Briefing

1. Virtual Operations Support Teams Briefing Cheryl Bledsoe (@cherylble) Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) Cheryl.Bledsoe@clark.wa.gov 360-992-6270 Concept #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us

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

3. What is a Virtual Operations Support Team? • Team of “Trusted agents,” organized and directed by EM Response Organizations • Incident Management Teams • Incident PIO’s • Emergency Operations Centers) • VOST teams are given social media and web-based missions to manage #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us

4. How can VOST assist EM Agencies? • Monitor • Curate • Amplify Response Organisation Questions/ Tasks VOST Trusted Agents Answers/ Response EM Decision Maker • Tasked • Information finding • Spot Trends • Information dissemination • Autonomous • Monitoring public voice • Amplifying official message #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us

5. Where Are VOST Teams Currently? • United States • New Zealand • Canada • Europe #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us

6. Who Makes Up a VOST Team? 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

7. 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

8. VOST Instance Cycle #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us Concept

9. VOST Activation Step 1: EM Organization activates VOST team leader, (or VOST decides to self-deploy if pre-arranged with criteria) Response Organisation EM Decision Maker TL Step 2: VOST Team Lead activates local and nonlocal team members #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us Activations may vary and be subject to change based on pre arrangements with EM agencies.

10. 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 #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us Activations may vary and be subject to change based on pre arrangements with EM agencies.

11. 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 #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us Activations may vary and be subject to change based on pre arrangements with EM agencies.

12. VOST Support Resources • VOST Website: http://vosg.us which is maintained by Joanna Lane (@joannalane) • 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 #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us

13. Questions & Answers End of Presentation Contact Information: Cheryl Bledsoe (@cherylble) Cheryl.Bledsoe@clark.wa.gov 360-992-6270 #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us