Providing Decision Support and Communicating Through Social Media Live Videos (336)

Mike Griffin, National Weather Service, Springfield, MO

 

Abstract:

Providing Decision Support and Communicating Through Social Media Live VideosMike Griffin, NOAA/National Weather Service, Springfield, MO The National Weather Service (NWS) Springfield, MO office is exploring new ways of providing virtual decision support through social media platforms and live interactive videos. For over a year, the NWS Springfield office has participated in a testbed with several other NWS offices experimenting with the capabilities of Facebook Live and Periscope to deliver decision support services to core partners. The use of Facebook Live by NWS Springfield to deliver interactive video briefings has drawn resoundingly positive feedback from diverse partner bases, including this testimonial from the Jasper County, MO Emergency Management Agency:&ldquoVisuals are very important to me at Joplin EMA. I find many people will read the verbiage but lack the awareness of both their location and its relation to other areas in southwest Missouri. The Facebook live videos provide verbiage and location awareness, as well as info on upcoming weather patterns. Finally, there is great value in seeing the face and hearing the voice of a NWS meteorologist. From these we can infer much regarding the confidence level, concern and interest of the forecaster...and thus the forecast itself.&rdquoKeith StammerJoplin / Jasper County EMA DirectorThis presentation will detail NWS Springfield's findings and best practices utilizing Facebook Live as a means to provide real-time decision support to core partner and agencies across the Missouri Ozarks and extreme southeastern Kansas. The use of Facebook Live to deliver weather information to the general public will also be discussed.