Launching Emergency Information Page on Facebook September 1

Residents of Cranbrook will be able to get real time emergency related information and updates through the city’s new Facebook page, effective September 1.

The catalyst of the creation of a City of Cranbrook Facebook presence stems from the windstorm of July 2012 which knocked out both the City of Cranbrook website and the local radio station for roughly a 24 hour period. During that time, the local radio station Facebook page was the only avenue the city had to get important information out to its residents.

But those who don’t use social media or do not have access to a computer will still be able to get the important information they need.

“Social media like Facebook will not replace the city’s use of traditional media like newspapers or the local radio station for keeping our residents informed in case of an emergency,” says Chris Zettel, Corporate Communications Officer for the City of Cranbrook. “Social media is simply another tool in the overall communications tool kit. By expanding our tools and meeting the public where they are, we are more responsive and hopefully more transparent.”

This is the first step into a full online presence of the City of Cranbrook in the social media realm. Once staff is confident in its ability to meet all of its legal and legislated requirements around records management, information and privacy protection, residents could see an increased city online presence above and beyond only emergency information. In time it is hoped that the city could begin to use social media to provide other important day-to-day city information and perhaps us additional social media tools to provide that information.

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