On Using Synthetic Social Media Stimuli in an Emergency Preparedness Functional Exercise

Authors

Andrew Hampton, Wright State University - Main CampusFollow
Shreyansh Bhatt, Wright State University - Main Campus
Gary Alan Smith, Wright State University - Main CampusFollow
Jeremy S. Brunn, Wright State University - Main CampusFollow
Hemant Purohit, Wright State University - Main CampusFollow
Valerie L. Shalin, Wright State University - Main CampusFollow
John M. Flach, Wright State University - Main CampusFollow
Amit P. Sheth, Wright State University - Main CampusFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2015

Abstract

This paper details the creation and use of a massive (over 32,000 messages) artificially constructed 'Twitter' microblog stream for a regional emergency preparedness functional exercise. By combining microblog conversion, manual production, and a control set, we created a web based information stream providing valid, misleading, and irrelevant information to public information officers (PIOs) representing hospitals, fire departments, the local Red Cross, and city and county government officials. PIOs searched, monitored, and (through conventional channels) verified potentially actionable information that could then be redistributed through a personalized screen name. Our case study of a key PIO reveals several capabilities that social media can support, including event detection, the distribution of information between functions within the emergency response community, and the distribution of messages to the public. We suggest that training as well as information filtering tools are necessary to realize the potential of social media in both emergencies and exercises.

Repository Citation

Hampton, A., Bhatt, S., Smith, G. A., Brunn, J. S., Purohit, H., Shalin, V. L., Flach, J. M., & Sheth, A. P. (2015). On Using Synthetic Social Media Stimuli in an Emergency Preparedness Functional Exercise. Computing Research Repository.
https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/knoesis/1086