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Virtual Operations Support Team

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David Sweigert
David Sweigert

This document discusses Virtual Operations Support Teams (VOST), which are teams of trusted volunteers organized by emergency management agencies to assist with social media monitoring and information sharing during disasters and emergencies. VOST teams help agencies manage large amounts of social media data, find trends, disseminate official messages, and provide situational awareness. Currently, VOST teams exist in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and parts of Europe. They are made up of emergency managers, public information officers, analysts, technical experts, and social media-savvy volunteers. The document outlines how VOST teams are activated, the types of missions they support, and resources available to help agencies establish their own VOST programs.

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Virtual Operations Support Teams Briefing Concept Cheryl Bledsoe (@cherylble) Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) Cheryl.Bledsoe@clark.wa.gov 360-992-6270 #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us
Social Media Changes Emergency Response • Provides the ability for information to be shared rapidly • Increases the amount of visual data that is available from people “on the scene” • Offers Emergency Response Organizations access to a Haystack of information #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us
What is a Virtual Operations Support Team? • Team of “Trusted agents,” organized and directed by EM Response Organizations – Incident Management Teams – Incident PIO’s – Emergency Operations Centers) • VOST teams are given social media and web-based missions to manage #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us
Tasked • Information finding • Spot Trends • Information dissemination Autonomous • Monitoring public voice • Amplifying official message • Monitor • Curate • Amplify #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us How can VOST assist EM Agencies?
• United States • New Zealand • Canada • Europe #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us Where Are VOST Teams Currently?
Emergency Managers (from other areas), Public Information Officers, Intel Analysts, High-Tech Staff, Social Media Savvy Supporters, Students and Volunteers from diverse backgrounds! #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us Who Makes Up a VOST Team?
Benefits of a VOST • Ability to Focus on Web • Variety of Skills & Abilities Available, based on networks of participants • Ability to See Trends & Issues • Provides a Filter for EM Response Agencies #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us
Disaster occurs/event selected Decision to activate. Activated by EOC or self activated to ensure data is collated ASAP Set tasks, priorities, schedule, tools/platforms VOST expands/contracts according to Incident command principles Deactivation, discussion, documentation, AAR Exercises between activations to stay current on tools & platforms Concept #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us VOST Instance Cycle
Step 1: EM Organization activates VOST team leader, (or VOST decides to self-deploy if pre-arranged with criteria) Step 2: VOST Team Lead activates local and nonlocal team members Activations may vary and be subject to change based on pre arrangements with EM agencies. #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us VOST Activation
Activations may vary and be subject to change based on pre arrangements with EM agencies. #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us Types of VOST Missions Wildfire: Slower Evolving Missions Develop Incident Presence Disseminate & Amplify Often in Rural Communities Dynamic Incidents: (Tornadoes / Severe Weather) Find unaddressed concerns Gather Damage Assessment Law Enforcement: Intelligence / Monitoring Training / Exercise: Practice, Practice, Practice
Activations may vary and be subject to change based on pre arrangements with EM agencies. #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us Preparing a VOST Team Emergency Management Entity • Understand the Need • Become Familiar with Social Media • Identify Types of Missions • Achieve Agency Buy-In • Recruit Team Members • Establish Protocols • Train/Exercise
• VOST Website: http://vosg.us which is maintained by Joanna Lane (@joannalane) • Skype Coordination Room called “All Things VOS” for general chat-based coordination • VOST Leadership Coalition Monthly Teleconference on last Friday of each month to debrief incidents & exercises Cheryl Bledsoe, Facilitator • Orange County VOST Creation • CRESA Field Operations Guide • Google Doc Workbook Templates created by Marlita Reddy-Hjelmfelt & Caroline Milligan #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us VOST Support Resources
End of Presentation Contact Information: Cheryl Bledsoe (@cherylble) Cheryl.Bledsoe@clark.wa.gov 360-992-6270 #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us Questions & Answers

More Related Content

Virtual Operations Support Team

  • 1. Virtual Operations Support Teams Briefing Concept Cheryl Bledsoe (@cherylble) Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) Cheryl.Bledsoe@clark.wa.gov 360-992-6270 #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us
  • 2. Social Media Changes Emergency Response • Provides the ability for information to be shared rapidly • Increases the amount of visual data that is available from people “on the scene” • Offers Emergency Response Organizations access to a Haystack of information #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us
  • 3. What is a Virtual Operations Support Team? • Team of “Trusted agents,” organized and directed by EM Response Organizations – Incident Management Teams – Incident PIO’s – Emergency Operations Centers) • VOST teams are given social media and web-based missions to manage #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us
  • 4. Tasked • Information finding • Spot Trends • Information dissemination Autonomous • Monitoring public voice • Amplifying official message • Monitor • Curate • Amplify #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us How can VOST assist EM Agencies?
  • 5. • United States • New Zealand • Canada • Europe #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us Where Are VOST Teams Currently?
  • 6. Emergency Managers (from other areas), Public Information Officers, Intel Analysts, High-Tech Staff, Social Media Savvy Supporters, Students and Volunteers from diverse backgrounds! #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us Who Makes Up a VOST Team?
  • 7. Benefits of a VOST • Ability to Focus on Web • Variety of Skills & Abilities Available, based on networks of participants • Ability to See Trends & Issues • Provides a Filter for EM Response Agencies #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us
  • 8. Disaster occurs/event selected Decision to activate. Activated by EOC or self activated to ensure data is collated ASAP Set tasks, priorities, schedule, tools/platforms VOST expands/contracts according to Incident command principles Deactivation, discussion, documentation, AAR Exercises between activations to stay current on tools & platforms Concept #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us VOST Instance Cycle
  • 9. Step 1: EM Organization activates VOST team leader, (or VOST decides to self-deploy if pre-arranged with criteria) Step 2: VOST Team Lead activates local and nonlocal team members Activations may vary and be subject to change based on pre arrangements with EM agencies. #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us VOST Activation
  • 10. Activations may vary and be subject to change based on pre arrangements with EM agencies. #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us Types of VOST Missions Wildfire: Slower Evolving Missions Develop Incident Presence Disseminate & Amplify Often in Rural Communities Dynamic Incidents: (Tornadoes / Severe Weather) Find unaddressed concerns Gather Damage Assessment Law Enforcement: Intelligence / Monitoring Training / Exercise: Practice, Practice, Practice
  • 11. Activations may vary and be subject to change based on pre arrangements with EM agencies. #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us Preparing a VOST Team Emergency Management Entity • Understand the Need • Become Familiar with Social Media • Identify Types of Missions • Achieve Agency Buy-In • Recruit Team Members • Establish Protocols • Train/Exercise
  • 12. • VOST Website: http://vosg.us which is maintained by Joanna Lane (@joannalane) • Skype Coordination Room called “All Things VOS” for general chat-based coordination • VOST Leadership Coalition Monthly Teleconference on last Friday of each month to debrief incidents & exercises Cheryl Bledsoe, Facilitator • Orange County VOST Creation • CRESA Field Operations Guide • Google Doc Workbook Templates created by Marlita Reddy-Hjelmfelt & Caroline Milligan #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us VOST Support Resources
  • 13. End of Presentation Contact Information: Cheryl Bledsoe (@cherylble) Cheryl.Bledsoe@clark.wa.gov 360-992-6270 #VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us Questions & Answers

Editor's Notes

  1. Referencing sources.
  2. VOST expands/contracts according to IC principles: - Be prepared to call for assistance from more #SMEM volunteers or other VOSTs as needed. This highlights the importance of establishing trusted relationships with #SMEM community early. Deactivation, discussion, documentation, AAR After instance is completed, continue backchannel discussion, discuss what worked & what didn’t, document and report, share with the #SMEM and #VOST involved in incident. (collaborative text) VOST exercises between activations to stay current on tools and social media platforms. #SMEMWater #SMEMchat #VOSTchat #30Days30Ways
  3. Referencing sources.
  4. Author (s)