Twitter Alerts aims to get information from vetted, credible organizations to the public during an emergency.
Twitter is rolling out a new feature that will allow users to get emergency information directly from vetted, credible organizations. The system, called Twitter Alerts, will deliver tweets marked as an alert by approved organizations through the traditional timeline feed and via SMS to a user’s cellphone. In addition, users who have the Twitter app for iPhone or Android will receive a push notification with the alert information.The new system was announced on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and mimics a similar feature that helps Japanese users find emergency Twitter accounts during times of crisis.
The alerts feature is to be used for "warnings for imminent dangers, preventive instructions, evacuation directions, urgent safety alerts, information on access to essential resources, information on critical transit and utility outages, and crowd and misinformation management." Twitter Alerts will be indicated by an orange bell, and approved accounts show the bell alongside the text: "In times of crisis, this account helps share critical information with Twitter Alerts. Be prepared."
Participating U.S. organizations include the American Red Cross, all 10 FEMA regions and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as state and local agencies such as the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
According to Twitter, the feature is available to local, national and international organizations that "provide critical information to the general public." Organizations that want to use the program can request enrollment via Twitter’s site.
The Boston Police Department used Twitter to keep the public updated on its investigation and search for the marathon bombing suspects in April and will participate in the alerts program. "We’re looking to Twitter Alerts as a means to help increase visibility and accessibility of reliable, official information. This will help us support the safety of our residents," said Lindsay Crudele, Boston’s community and social technology strategist, in Twitter’s announcement.
Twitter users can subscribe to the new feature through an approved organization’s alerts page (for example, see FEMA’s).
This article was originally published by Government Technology.
