In reading “Social Media In the Public Sector” by
Ines Mergel and Bill Greeves, I could not help but reflect on those vital points
found in the literature of the research detail that I uncovered for the
Department of Homeland Security; or more specifically, their open government
initiative in general— and FEMA’s online engagement strategies in particular. Since
much of what was mentioned in the book literally hit on FEMA’s strategic imperative
to engage the public, and capitalize on opportunities that provide more
efficient, effective and responsive government, which is not to mention their unwavering
commitment to be accountable, open, and transparent in delivering traditional
or digital public services. In fact, it has been mission-critical services of
this type that has greatly impacted their role in managing the inordinate
amounts of demands and responsibilities associated with emergency management including,
but not limited to:
As for a National Security
Strategy, it has been open government and online engagement that has fostered FEMA’s initiative
to take a “Whole Community Approach”, which has helped them achieve the
following strategic imperatives:
While their Core Values and
Guiding Principles serve to undergird it all. Plus it encompasses:
Still,
it did not happen overnight. FEMA’s approach and strategic imperatives evolved over
time. They had to adjust and readjust their focus and priorities in order to effectively
and efficiently “connect government to improve government.” By widening their
communication pathways via Social Media, they were able to drive-up
transparency, participation and collaboration, which in effect aided in the
process of establishing accountability, as well as a “knowledge network” and other
relevant ideals including, but not limited to:
A most
powerful quote by John Adams reads, “Liberty cannot be preserved without a
general knowledge among the people, who have a right and a desire to know.” Even
in harking back, this quote is so very powerful and reflects those principles embodied
in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). It captures the true essence of open
government less the nuances of this new digital age, which in part includes Social
Media Networks, where virtual communities participate, collaborate and actively
engage. And where, FEMA’s future success awaits, as they turn the page to the
next chapter of digital public service delivery requiring a full embrace of the
“knowledge network”, which is comprised of various social media tools being used as vehicles
to add value to the governance process including:
Undoubtedly,
these vehicles of new media bring tremendous VALUE of information sharing and
openness to FEMA’s 2014 Strategic Plan. As promulgated on their website at www.fema.gov, it has in fact widened
their communication channels, as well as fostered greater community engagement
and unity of effort and purpose among all members of the emergency management
team. To that end, it has contributed to their capacity building initiative(s) and
overall governance model, which in the grand scheme of things lead to more sustainable
democratic development.
This
increase in open government dialogue with the people strengthens our democracy.
It promotes transparency, participation, and collaboration, thereby making
government more efficient, effective and responsive. Plus the “cloak of
secrecy” is lifted and government becomes “cool” again. Through open government
and online engagement or what has otherwise been called web democratization,
the government becomes more answerable to the people via social media on one
hand. While the people on the other hand become more trustful of the
government via social interactivity. This public trust in the government then lends
itself to public confidence in politicians, political institutions and
political systems further contributing to the national priorities of the
country— whatever they may be at the time.
In
particular, the increase in open government dialogue via social media makes carrying
out the day-to-day mission, vision and goals of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) more manageable. It creates a multi-directional exchange of
information and communication [system] that functions to “tap citizen’s expertise”.
An online greet (if you will) created to expeditiously meet the expectations of
the nations citizens being governed, and that exist for the governed, while
co-opting the governed (in that same vein) to actively participate in the
governance process. Open innovation that empowers
citizens, fights corruption, and harnesses new technologies to strengthen government
in general.
Additionally,
the business of Emergency Management requires deep consideration of many
factors including increased empowerment of individuals due to technological
innovation; the evolving security environment; dramatic demographic shifts; and
changes in the man-made and natural environments. This is why open government
dialogue via Social Media is so very significant, particularly in ascertaining the
facts in real-time through spontaneous reporting— a leading practice that FEMA
has officially adopted to solve problems using a vast ecosystem of applications.
Those mobile applications of late that allow for instant messaging to include
images and video’s that can be posted to their website at www.fema.gov— anytime, anywhere. These
are the very same applications they use to capitalize on opportunities that
provide more efficient, effective and responsive government in their unwavering
commitment to be accountable, open, and transparent in delivering both
traditional or digital public services.
