The DHS Virtual Social Media Working Group (VSMWG) released two documents developed with input from the public safety community through online engagement hosted on the DHS First Responder Communities of Practice portal and other social media channels.  These documents are intended for use by all public safety disciplines and all types of agencies to better understand and utilize social media and other Web-based tools without having to reinvent the wheel or spend hours searching for examples or policy templates and use cases. 

The first document, entitled “Social Media Strategy," provides a high-level introduction to social media, its benefits for public safety, and best practices from agencies already using it.  It also serves as a good starting point for developing an agency’s detailed social media strategy.  The second document, entitled "Next Steps Strategy," serves as follow up to the Social Media Strategy.  It presents challenges and provides both next steps and best practices for public safety agencies developing and implementing social media.

For more information and to download the documents please visit www.FirstResponder.gov or DHS First Responder Communities of Practice at www.communities.firstresponder.gov. 

The DHS Virtual Social Media Working Group

Recognizing the need to address the challenges associated with social media for emergency response and public safety, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate established the VSMWG.   The mission of the VSMWG is to provide recommendations to the emergency preparedness and response community on the safe and sustainable use of social media technologies before, during, and after emergencies.

Drawn from a cross-section of subject matter experts from local, tribal, state, territorial and federal responders from across the United States, VSMWG members establish and collect best practices and solutions that can be leveraged by responders throughout the nation’s emergency response community.   For more information and to participate in the discussion, please join DHS First Responder Communities of Practice at www.communities.firstresponder.gov.