#VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us

Virtual Operations Support Teams

Briefing

Concept

Cheryl Bledsoe (@cherylble)Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA)Cheryl.Bledsoe@clark.wa.gov360-992-6270

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

EM Decision

Maker

Tasked• Information finding• Spot Trends • Information disseminationAutonomous• Monitoring public voice• Amplifying official message

Resp

onse

Org

anis

ation

Questions/Tasks VOST

Trusted Agents

• Monitor• Curate• Amplify

Answers/Response

#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

selectedDecision 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)

Resp

onse

Org

anisa

tion

EM Decision Maker

Step 2: VOST Team Leadactivates local and

nonlocal team members

TL

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 MissionsWildfire: Slower Evolving MissionsDevelop Incident PresenceDisseminate & AmplifyOften in Rural Communities

Dynamic Incidents: (Tornadoes / Severe Weather)Find unaddressed concernsGather 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.gov360-992-6270

#VOST on Twitter http://vosg.us

Questions & Answers