Enough already! Almost all of PEI has been out of power for a few hours and we are hanging on by a thread. We are having a foretaste of the kind of events that will become more common as global warming affects our weather.
As in war - the most important thing is to know what is going on. For those who have to help to now and for the rest of us poor folks who are in the dark, under water, coming down with bird flu etc.
It is now possible for all of us to know a lot - if we understand the new media. It's possible to be able to know a lot very quickly and for very little cost. We could have a great system up and running in 2 days.
Hope is not a plan and the key is to be able to keep everyone in the loop. Here is a list of things that have been proved to work.
Key Assumption - Assume very little power available and that phones can be lost too - most people have cell phones. The cell phone in the developing world is THE link. So any plan has to put the cell phone in the centre of the mix. But how do you reach thousands of people using text messaging on their phones
Key Assumption - PEI has one of the highest uses of Facebook in the world - Facebook can be set up to message the members of groups - set up a PEI EMS Facebook Group and encourage people to join - make it socially competitive - the power outage now will help - the kids will get their parents and grandparents on.
Key Asumption - Broadcasting on the radio every 30 minutes reaches not many. KPBS used Twitter during the California fires and were updating every few minutes. Twitter can use sms and hence is very robust and it is two way -so the Wisdom of Crowds can be leveraged.
Key Assumption - Use the wisdom of crowds - Members can not only receive but contribute on Facebook and also using Google Maps as KPBS harnessed in the Fires last summer in California. Google Maps are the ideal vehicle for bringing it all into a coherent picture. The KPBS map became the resource for all involved.
Key Assumption - Link your services into the same system. The San Diego FD was interlocked into the KPBS system. The LAFD has been using Twitter and Google maps for nearly a year now
Key Assumption - Every other community in North America faces the same kind of risk - Learning from each other and being able to lend help will be essential. As ME is finding, its crews are going to run out of gas soon. As in war, you can be sure that you have to have a strategic reserve of knowledge and resources - this can only come from outside and you can only access this if you have the relationship's already established - remember when PEI went to Toronto to help with the snow? Social Media can help form these links.
Key Assumption - Let's get on with it and pull this together!!!!!
See follow on for examples in full - None of this costs real money - it just takes will
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