Post by: Kim Stephens Yesterday I posed the question: Is the
frequency of using social media in crises and disasters bringing
new innovations, progress, and improvements to crisis
communications? Today, I would like to highlight 5 ways that
social media have contributed positively to the recovery
process, particularly with regard to citizens helping themselves
and others. 1. Social Media are used for on-line collaboration
to aid those in need. Citizens providing aid to those affected
by a disaster is nothing new. People have donated time, goods,
money, etc. to disaster survivors probably since we walked
upright. What’s new is the ease in which collaboration can
occur. The Four-Mile-Fire Help forum/website (re Boulder CO
wildfires) is a case in point. The Forum operates as a
clearinghouse for those offering assistance and those needing
assistance. Everything you can imagine is listed from insurance
help, animal help, food help, free therapy sessions; but the
most viewed item is “housing help”. By choosing that