Social media to be used if disasters hit Highlands

PEOPLE anxious to find out about major emergencies or incidents in

Inverness will be able to get updates via two newly launched social networking websites.

The Highlands and Islands Strategic Co-ordinating Group (HISCG), responsible for public safety during any crisis, has become the first organisation of its type in Scotland to set up Facebook and Twitter pages.

“As was demonstrated recently, especially during the riots in England, social media now plays an unprecedented role as a vehicle of public communication,” said the HISCG chairman, chief constable George Graham.

“It is essential that the public sector stays ahead of the game with regard to such developments and takes advantage of the opportunities they present to communicate more effectively with our communities.”

Regularly updated details about major emergencies will be provided through the social media which can also be accessed by smartphones.

The police, fire and ambulance services, coastguard and Highland Council are among the organisations in the group.

Mr Graham said the websites could be a useful two-way form of communication with the public, who would not only be able to access information but provide their own updates if they are at or near the scene.

HISCG convenes at Northern Constabulary’s headquarters on Old Perth Road during a major incident and last met in an emergency in May and June 2009 during the swine flu pandemic.

The council’s head of infrastructure Sam MacNaughton logged onto social networking websites giving emergency information on heavy flooding in Australia where his daughter was.

“I was aware of this in Brisbane, the public could see Facebook pages and minute-by-minute the situation was changing,” he said. “The public was also able to provide feedback about what was happening. The power was down and there was no television or radio, so people were using their iPhones which meant they were still able to get information.”