Halbrook Associates.com

Does your department have a social media policy?

Social media has been in the news a lot lately, and I have been involved in a few fire hall discussions on the subject.  In the past we have talked about a lot of positive aspects of this technology.  We have shown how social media can be used to track major events before the main stream media picks up on the story.  We have also shown how you can communicate, and pass time critical information to the general public without traditional media filters.  The folks over at the  EMT Spot have even talked about how a potential employee can be affected by an unflattering web presence. The question for today revolves around agencies and entities.  

I’m normally a big proponent of open public dialog based communications.  I feel very strongly that a well managed web presence can pay huge dividends for an agency.  The public wants to see what their dollars go towards.  They want to see what their responders are up to, and they want the warm fuzzy feeling that they get when they see you in action.  That action may be working at a fire, a rescue, or an EMS call.  The action might be training both academic, and hands on, or the action may be a well placed account of your crews resting, sleeping, or socializing.  Many might think that down time activities should not be displayed, but I disagree.  

The biggest criticisms in the fire service come when the public doesn’t understand our world.  They don’t know why the fire engine is at the grocery store every morning at 0800.  Social media can be used as a window into our world.  A well placed blog post showing all ten members of the crew, the amount of food that is prepared, and the number of calls that get toned out during the meal hour. This information can actually clear up some public misperceptions.  On top of that if a well organized meal brings in part time, volunteer, or off duty staff you can very publicly document how the simple act of conducting a station meal actually increases public safety without costing the tax payers a dime.  

As with any public relations tool there are multiple ways that it can be applied.  No matter how many positive stories, pictures, and videos that you put out the one video that gets the most attention will be that of your crew taking the probationary member, putting a helmet on his/her head, laying them on the creeper and using them to bowl down road cones.  That negative video will create a bad image for both the department and the social media platform that broadcast this unfortunate event.  The knee jerk reaction to this type of social media debacle is for a chief, or agency head to implement a very restrictive policy that bans social media, cameras, videos, or in some cases internet access.  These policies generally have a lot of flaws to them.  If a policy outlines specific web sites, or applications it will be obsolete in a number of days.  If the policy restricts “social media” it may be too vague to be enforced.  If it overly restricts first

amendment foundations the policy will not be long standing, and if the policy inhibits the ability of the department to take advantage of the positive aspects of social media, then it is simply short sighted.  

With all of this in mind how do you write a policy that catches all the loose ends of the current computer age while still allowing your staff to use the modern tools that are at their disposal? 

Here are a few things to consider

1. Have a policy.  If you don’t have a policy that covers these types of issues you will not be in a position to address problems when they arise. 
2. Consider existing policies that govern time, computers, or equipment use.  
3. Get your attorney involved.  Employment, and constitutional law are very specialized fields, and these types of policies are frequently challenged and overturned
4. Consider an overall marketing/public affairs policy.  How should your entity be displayed regardless of the platform, or media?
5. Most importantly allow your employees the opportunity to provide a positive image of your agency, department, or company.

Have fun.  
Its suppose to be a dialog after all.

Hy-Vee Triathlon

This year my wife participated in the Hy-Vee triathlon.  Christine's relay team trained hard, and was well prepared. As a result they had a great time.  

Since this website is emergency services focused I thought I would share some pictures of the event.

Life Flight lands at the staging area ready for emergencies

Athletes enter the water for the 1 mile swim.  

Lifeguards, jet ski's, and boats provide a protective screen for the swimmers.  

More below the fold

2009 Ham radio field day

With so much going on this week I was not able to set up for the annual ARRL field day.  For those of you who don't know.  Field day is an excuse for Ham radio operators to take their equipment out in the field.  

At remote locations all over the country Ham radio operators practice for disaster situations in which their unique skills can be the only life line.  

The Des Moines Amateur radio club set up at big creek state park, and it looks like they had a great time.

Tre, thanks for reminding us...

Phenix TL2 Leather fire helmet

Last year for christmas my wife Christine surprised me with the gift of a traditional leather fire helmet.  After researching the different brands, features, and options I settled on the Phenix Technology TL2 series helmet.  The helmet came in, and I have been wearing it ever since.  

the first few pictures show the helmet as it is today.

Our department's standard issue helmet is the Ben II.  The standard shield for that helmet is a little different from the shield that comes with the TL2.  In order to make my existing shield fit my new helmet we punched a few new holes which makes everything work out great.

After a year and a half of wear the front head band shifted up inside the helmet.  This made the front of the helmet rest on my forehead.  After a long day on the job this left my head sore, and uncomfortable. I called Phenix to see if they had a fix.  They recognized my problem and shipped me the parts for the fix.

Under the liner of the helmet is a foam impact insert.  The cap that comes from the factory is cut evenly all the way around.  The new cap is longer in the front and the back.  With this new piece in place the head band rests in a better position.

This last picture shows how the headband fits with the new foam insert in place.  

With this fix in place the helmet is very comfortable, and has served me well.

Land Navigation training

5/30/09 Using Lasagna for search training

our serch and rescue team has struggeled with ways to train search skills. A significant part of our training program includes route and area searches as well as detailed land navigation programs.

in theepast we have used flagging tape, poker chips, and playing cards to mark clues and way points. Unfortunaitly unles your trainees have a 100 percent POD you end up leaving trash in the field.

Inorder to keep our training areas beautifull and clean we have decided to use dry posta. The posta can be left in the field if not found.

New Ambulance Drivers Training

The new ambulance is in town.  Everyone is excited, the design committee has been through things, and all of the equipment has been moved over from the old unit.  The rig is ready for its first call…..  or is it?

The ambulance committee spent the past several months designing a rig that would fit the needs of this department for years to come.  The committee had to consider a lot, and incorporated a lot into this new design.  The committee looked at staffing.  Both full time EMT’s, and the expansion of ALS providers on the service.  They also provided gear for the fact that our crews run both fire, and EMS response.  The ambulance incorporated new safety, and technology aspects into the design.  When you park the old and new ambulances next to each other they are in two completely different classes.  The new one is longer, taller, and on a very different chasse from its predecessor. 

We all joke about the idea that someone will eventually damage this beautiful new ambulance.  As time goes by there is no doubt that the rig will get its fair share of scratches, and it will probably back into a pole or two, but god willing no serious damage will be done to it, or its crew during its operational life. 

This raises the concern of keeping this new ambulance in good shape for as long as possible.  The temptation to simply put the new “squad” in service is strong, but just like when your drivers are new to the job they need to learn the unique characteristics of this ambulance.  It turns differently, it handles differently, and you may not be able to get it under the drive through at the McDonalds.  With all of this in mind you should probably get out the old set of traffic cones that have been collecting dust in the corner, set up the driver’s course, and get everyone checked out.  It doesn’t take all that long, and it will help you ensure that this nice new ambulance will have a long service life with your service. 

The Impact of Social Networks on your resume

I don't point you towards other bloggers very often, but I wanted to share this post from the EMT Spot website.  In this post they discuss the significance of you web presence, and how it can affect a job search.  

Flotilla 4 Training Day

4/25/09 Ham Fest 09

Today was the DMRAA'S Ham fest. Lots of fun had by all.