State Agencies Benefit From Social Media
By: Melinda Barrett
Updated: December 26, 2012
(CLINTON COUNTY, Mo.) It's been called the social media phenomenon, millions of people are logging on, updating, tweeting or posting every second of every day.
Where those who aren't, might feel left behind.
"We have to change if we are going to continue to be effective," said Blair Shock, Clinton County Emergency Management Director.
The director of Clinton County Emergency Management, Blair Shock, understands how people are communicating, and it's through social media.
"They gather important information via social media now, they exchange information with each other and confirm that information via social media," said Shock.
And in a rural county with nearly 20,000 people, it was after severe weather hit a few years ago, Clinton County took a look at how people are receiving information.
"One of the things we discovered, not only do people gather information from non-traditional sources, in terms, social media. They also verify information via social media now, more than they every have," said Shock.
Not only is Shock responsible for managing emergencies, he now regulates the Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages.
"It's not just a soap box, people can respond and pass information back to us. Not only from an agencies perspective, but it puts a human face to that agency and helps connect the public with us," said Shock.
And it's that connection that drives them to alert the public when needed.
Like in cases of extreme weather, when some aren't sure if they can travel.
"But they're curious, they want to know how bad it is, and how many wrecks. We throw that camera up in the dash and let them see all the cars sliding off the road and hopefully that emphasizes, really do stay home we are not making this up. We are serious when we say it's nasty out," said Blair.
And as information is exchanged, the evolution of social media continues to keep the public from all circles, alert and informed.
The Cameron Police Department works with Clinton County through forms of social media.
And recently, the St. Joseph Police Department started a Twitter account.
Where those who aren't, might feel left behind.
"We have to change if we are going to continue to be effective," said Blair Shock, Clinton County Emergency Management Director.
The director of Clinton County Emergency Management, Blair Shock, understands how people are communicating, and it's through social media.
"They gather important information via social media now, they exchange information with each other and confirm that information via social media," said Shock.
And in a rural county with nearly 20,000 people, it was after severe weather hit a few years ago, Clinton County took a look at how people are receiving information.
"One of the things we discovered, not only do people gather information from non-traditional sources, in terms, social media. They also verify information via social media now, more than they every have," said Shock.
Not only is Shock responsible for managing emergencies, he now regulates the Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages.
"It's not just a soap box, people can respond and pass information back to us. Not only from an agencies perspective, but it puts a human face to that agency and helps connect the public with us," said Shock.
And it's that connection that drives them to alert the public when needed.
Like in cases of extreme weather, when some aren't sure if they can travel.
"But they're curious, they want to know how bad it is, and how many wrecks. We throw that camera up in the dash and let them see all the cars sliding off the road and hopefully that emphasizes, really do stay home we are not making this up. We are serious when we say it's nasty out," said Blair.
And as information is exchanged, the evolution of social media continues to keep the public from all circles, alert and informed.
The Cameron Police Department works with Clinton County through forms of social media.
And recently, the St. Joseph Police Department started a Twitter account.
