Introduction

In today's interconnected world, social media has transformed into an indispensable tool for emergency preparedness and response, offering unprecedented speed and reach for vital communication during crises. This essential training course focuses on Social Media for Emergency Preparedness and Response, equipping participants with the critical knowledge and practical skills to strategically leverage various platforms for real-time information dissemination, situational awareness, and community engagement. You will learn to craft impactful messages, monitor digital conversations, counter misinformation, and foster two-way communication that builds trust and empowers the public during emergencies. Mastering the effective use of social media in emergency management is crucial for public safety agencies, government communicators, non-profit organizations, and anyone responsible for public welfare in times of crisis.

This intensive training course delves into the nuanced application of best practices for integrating social media across all phases of the emergency management cycle. We will explore platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram for rapid alerts, delve into social listening and crowdsourcing for intelligence gathering, understand the complexities of managing online rumors, and examine strategies for post-crisis communication and recovery. Participants will gain hands-on experience in developing social media emergency plans, creating compelling visual content, engaging with online communities, and analyzing data to improve future responses. By the end of this training course, you will possess the expertise to confidently implement and manage a dynamic social media strategy for emergency preparedness and response, enhancing your organization's ability to communicate effectively and build community resilience.

Target Audience

• Public Information Officers (PIOs)
• Emergency Management Agency Staff
• Crisis Communication Specialists
• Law Enforcement & Fire Department Personnel
• Public Health Communicators
• Non-Profit & NGO Staff (Disaster Relief)
• Government Social Media Managers
• Community Engagement Coordinators

Course Objectives

• Understand the transformative role of social media in modern emergency management.
• Learn how to develop a comprehensive social media strategy for emergency preparedness.
• Master techniques for rapid information dissemination and warning alerts via social media.
• Develop skills in social listening and monitoring for enhanced situational awareness.
• Understand strategies for effective two-way communication and public engagement during crises.
• Learn best practices for countering misinformation and disinformation on social media.
• Explore the ethical considerations and challenges of using social media in emergencies.
• Master techniques for leveraging user-generated content and crowdsourcing for intelligence.
• Understand the role of social media in post-disaster recovery and resilience building.
• Learn about integrating social media into existing incident command structures.
• Apply practical social media tools and strategies to simulate emergency scenarios.

Duration

5 Days

Course Outline

Module 1: The Evolving Role of Social Media in Emergencies

• Defining the landscape of social media platforms relevant to emergency management.
• Understanding the shift from one-way to two-way communication in crises.
• Exploring case studies where social media played a critical role in emergency response.
• The benefits of speed, reach, and real-time information for preparedness.
• Setting the stage for a proactive social media strategy.

Module 2: Developing a Social Media Emergency Plan

• Components of a robust social media emergency plan for your module.
• Establishing clear roles, responsibilities, and approval processes for online content.
• Identifying key messages and pre-scripted content for various scenarios.
• Defining target audiences and selecting appropriate social media platforms.
• Integrating the plan with overall emergency communication strategies.

Module 3: Rapid Information Dissemination & Alerts

• Strategies for broadcasting urgent information and warnings via social media for your module.
• Crafting clear, concise, and actionable messages for diverse audiences.
• Utilizing platform-specific features (e.g., Twitter alerts, Facebook safety check).
• Understanding the importance of timing and frequency in alert dissemination.
• Best practices for visual content (infographics, short videos) in alerts.

Module 4: Social Listening and Situational Awareness

• Techniques for social listening and monitoring conversations on social media for your module.
• Using keywords, hashtags, and geographic filtering for relevant information.
• Analyzing real-time data to enhance situational awareness during an incident.
• Identifying emerging needs, affected areas, and public sentiment.
• Distinguishing actionable intelligence from noise and rumors.

Module 5: Engagement, Trust, and Countering Misinformation

• Strategies for engaging with the public and fostering two-way communication on social media for your module.
• Responding to questions, concerns, and requests for assistance ethically and empathetically.
• Understanding the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation during crises.
• Developing tactics to counter false narratives with verified, accurate information.
• Building and maintaining public trust through transparent and consistent communication.

Module 6: Crowdsourcing, User-Generated Content & Collaboration

• Leveraging user-generated content (UGC) for intelligence gathering and damage assessment for your module.
• Implementing crowdsourcing initiatives for real-time information from the affected public.
• Establishing protocols for verifying the authenticity and reliability of UGC.
• Facilitating collaboration among different agencies and organizations via social media.
• Exploring platforms and tools that support collaborative emergency response.

Module 7: Post-Crisis Communication & Resilience

• Strategies for social media communication during the recovery phase of a crisis for your module.
• Providing updates on relief efforts, resources, and long-term support.
• Using social media to gather feedback and assess the effectiveness of response.
• Promoting community resilience and psychological well-being through online engagement.
• Analyzing social media data post-crisis to inform future preparedness and training.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.