Monday, May 2, 2011

Columbus Dispatch: [Franklin] County offers emergency bulletins on Twitter





County offers emergency bulletins on Twitter

Franklin County residents now can receive emergency updates through Twitter by following Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

The agency launched the new Twitter feed today.

“It's about warning people and preparedness,” spokesman Mark Anthony said. “It's also about sharing information about getting a community back to normal after an emergency.”

The feed will send out on local severe weather alerts and warnings as well as emergency preparedness tips and other emergency and homeland security news.

In the event of a tornado, flooding or other disaster, the Twitter feed might be used to send out instructions on how to apply for aid or warnings about scam artists offering fake repair or recovery services, Anthony said.

Users can customize their Twitter settings to have the posts sent to their cell phones as text messages or they can view them through other social media websites.

Anthony said the agency only will be using Twitter as a way to distribute information. It doesn't intend to monitor Twitter for tips and comments from other users. Anthony discouraged people from trying to use Twitter as a way to contact the agency. For emergencies, people should call 911.

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