METHUEN – Mayor Steve
Zanni and Chief Joseph Solomon are pleased to announce the launch of
the Methuen Police Department’s second annual social media campaign for the
2016 National Preparedness Month this September.
National Preparedness
Month is meant to educate communities on planning, staying safe, and
communicating during disasters and emergencies. This year’s theme is “Don’t
Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”
The department is highlighting
the idea of being proactive through daily posts on their Facebook, Twitter,
and Instagram accounts. Each week will feature a different theme including
floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and power outages with helpful articles,
public service announcements, checklists, and other resources to educate
the public on how to stay safe during an emergency that affects their
community. They are also in the process of developing boards on Pinterest,
which will feature visual elements such as graphics, checklists, and
flyers.
"The Methuen Police
Department strives to use social media as both a way to relay information
and also connect with our community," Chief Solomon said. "Our
social media following has grown considerably over the years, and we
encourage residents to utilize the numerous resources we have available
online."
Methuen is no stranger
emergency preparedness and the value of properly utilizing social media in
the event of an emergency situation. During hurricane season and especially
during the winter months, the city has experienced strong storms that have
triggered numerous emergency situations.
In the event of an
emergency, employees from the police station and the city set up and run an
Emergency Operations Center (EOC), where they set up designated phone lines
for calls coming in to report power lines or trees that are down, and other
important safety messages. The team is also responsible for monitoring
social media as a way to communicate with residents.
"The Methuen Police
Department has utilized social media in a way that's effective not only for
the residents, but also for the town's daily operations," Mayor Zanni
said. "I am proud to support the department in their efforts and
encourage the community to follow their posts online."
Along with Chief Solomon,
Officers Licata and Scanlon are managing the department’s second annual
formal social media campaign. Their daily posts are leading up to National
PreparAthon! Day on Sept. 30, which culminates National Preparedness Month.
The department plans to create a Facebook event for this day, which will
contain all of the information they have posted throughout the month in one
place.
The Methuen Police
Department’s Facebook page currently has 11,532 likes and they have 8,197
followers on Twitter. Chief Solomon and his team are heavily involved in
social media, encouraging his police force to utilize social media as a
means of communication with the Methuen community. Many of the officers
even have their own Twitter handle.
For more information about
National Preparedness Month, visit ready.gov and the Methuen Police
Department’s Facebook page. Follow them on Twitter @MethuenPolice.
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