Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.As a government professional, chances are you know a thing or two about emergency notifications. It’s a critical tool that is an absolute necessity as a means to communicate effectively with the public in times of emergencies. However, what you may not realize is that using a single platform system to manage your emergency communications is just as important in maximizing effectiveness.
Unfortunately, the problem with current emergency communication tactics is that they often exist within a siloed structure. More simply put, many government organizations have different departments that are working separately when it comes to getting the word out to citizens in urgent situations. For example, emergency notification systems have typically been managed separately from the communications department within an organization. Although this may have been fairly efficient in the past, this structure is no longer effective in today’s highly mobile culture.
If your organization is currently working within a siloed communications structure, try using a single platform system instead. With cloud-based emergency notification solutions, your organization’s emergency notifications and digital communication systems can be connected so that your emergency operations center can work seamlessly with your communications department. Role-based permissions help limit who can send what kind of communications, but everything Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.is managed in a single platform. This will increase efficiency in getting the word out during an emergency. And more importantly, having these systems work efficiently and cohesively together can help to save people’s lives when survival depends on timeliness of emergency notifications.
In the past, using the capability of “Reverse Dial” (the ability to gain access to all landline contacts within specific geographical areas) may have been enough. But many people now use their mobile device as their main voice channel. Mobile devices allow for greater flexibility in receiving information via SMS text messaging, email, or newsgathering through web browsers. We are a hyper-connected society, surrounded by all that technology has brought, and your emergency communications strategy should reflect that.
Think about it. If you found yourself in an emergency situation, what’s the first thing you would want to know? First and foremost, you would want to know exactly what and where the situation is and how you and your family will be protected. You want the right resources, and you want them fast and easily accessible. And in urgent situations, whether it’s a natural disaster such as a hurricane, a water main break that could affect your family or a criminal situation that is close to home, you need that information as quickly as possible.
Join us for a four-part podcast series on Emergency Communications and how you can help your organization better communicate with the public in emergency situations. Listen to the first podcast here:
Siloed Communications Systems Create Inefficiency.