New American Red Cross Survey Shows More Americans Use Social Media, Technology in Emergencies

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Aug 22, 2011, 03:04 ET

Red Cross, FEMA and Facebook officials to discuss implications for the public and for emergency responders during Facebook Live Event

WASHINGTON, August, 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The number of Americans who turn to the Internet, social media and mobile technologies during disasters is on the rise, a new American Red Cross study shows. And while people should still rely on 9-1-1 in emergency situations, researchers found that the majority of Americans feel they should also be able to receive timely assistance from local and national response agencies when they post messages in social media.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090108/RedCrossLOGO)

WHAT:	A Facebook Live event to announce the results of the second Red Cross survey of Americans' use of social media and other technologies during disasters. Officials from the Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Facebook will also discuss the implications of the study and how both individuals and responders can make use of the Internet, social media and mobile technology in emergency situations. Media are welcome to view the Facebook Live event and submit questions on the Facebook platform.
WHO:	Trevor Riggen, Senior Director of Disaster Services, American Red Cross
	Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency
	Brooke Oberwetter Associate Manager, Policy Communications.
WHY:	These two new surveys show that the vast majority of Americans believe that response organizations should be monitoring social media during disasters and acting quickly to help those in need. Emergency response organizations like the Red Cross, FEMA and others now face both new challenges to harness the power of these technologies as well as opportunities to engage with people during times of disaster.
WHEN:	Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 3:00 p.m.
WHERE:	http://on.fb.me/FBDCLive
RSVP:	http://on.fb.me/okyVWQ

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

About the Federal Emergency Management Agency:

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate's activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government Web sites, companies or applications.

About Facebook:

Founded in February 2004, Facebook's mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected. Anyone can sign up for Facebook and interact with the people they know in a trusted environment. Facebook is a privately held company and is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif.

SOURCE American Red Cross