The Z 1600 standard for emergency and continuity management programs includes the need for ones program to address communication, including the social media aspects of communication during an emergency. As social media is a relatively new phenomenon and a complex one, many organizations struggle with the challenge of how to effectively deal with it. The standard unfortunately identifies the need to address social media, but does not specifically tell one how to do it. 

Some resources one might find helpful in developing ones communications plans to handle social media are the PTSC-Online Crisis and Emergency Communication blog channel and CanVOST, the concept of developing a Canadian Virtual Operations Support Team to help organizations deal more effectively with social media. The CanVOST link takes you to a web space which was designed to help CanVOST supporters develop and manage a support team.  The concept still has a way to go and its web space has not been used as effectively as it should have been and we are currently trying to address that. Although not a complete or perfect solution CanVOST does provide one with the opportunity to support, encourage and work with others to help develop the team.  One needs to become a member of PTSC-Online (no charge) to participate in discussion in the CanVOST space and to be granted access to secure areas of the space. To gain access just complete this application form and indicate "Support CanVOST" in the comments section of your application. 

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