Town of Hilton Head to Use Twitter to Alert Residents to Emergencies

Courtesy of IslandPacket.com...

The Town of Hilton Head Island is using the social networking site Twitter to help get out information about natural disasters and other emergencies to residents.

Cities across the United States have begun using the free technology to broadcast short messages to people who follow Twitter through their personal computers and cell phones.
The town plans to use it primarily in the event of a hurricane to alert residents of evacuation orders, re-entry procedures and where residents can find bags of ice and other necessities, said emergency management coordinator Paul Rasch.

It is expected to be especially useful after a hurricane, when people will be scattered throughout the region and won't necessarily be near a computer with Internet access, but will still have their cell phones.

Rasch likened the town's Twitter account to a tap on the shoulder, alerting people -- often on their mobile devices -- that new information is available. "It serves the purpose of being an active notification device versus the town's Internet site and 800-number, which are passive," he said. "We can put all the information we'd like (on the Web site and hotline), but we have to wait for people to call or check in."

While the primary use will be during and after storms, the town's emergency management office also plans to use it for other emergencies, including chemical spills, tornadoes and other situations that warrant an update. Residents can follow the Twitter feed while they're away to stay abreast of any incidents that might damage their property.

Even though the town's Twitter site allows people to send messages, town officials stressed they won't be monitoring the comments, so it's important for people with questions or comments to contact town officials through traditional means: an e-mail or a phone call.

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