I think it was over a year ago that I first heard about the Los Angeles Fire Department and their blogging and social media efforts.
Today, Luke Armour, who works at BlogTalkRadio and is a long-time PR blogger, sent me an e-mail to let me know that the LAFD will be offering its “12 Minutes of Holiday Safety” show on BlogTalkRadio.
“12 Minutes of Holiday Safety” on LAFD TalkRadio
Date/Time:
12/7/2007 6pm ET/3pm PT
LAFD TalkRadio: www.blogtalkradio.com/lafd
Call-in Number: (347) 677-0632
You can listen to it later if you can't be there live.
LAFD Social Media Arsenal
According to Luke, the LAFD has implemented a number of Web 2.0 technologies to communicate with its community, including a blog, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube.
Luke also says that they have more than 80 Web 2.0 projects in the pipeline that it is testing including its channel on BlogTalkRadio. In fact, Luke mentions that it has been a BlogTalkRadio host since late 2006.
In August, they used the show to turn the tables on Computerworld.com Reporter Heather Havenstein who did an unconventional live interview with Brian Humphrey and Ron Myers on the LAFD staff about their social media program. You can listen to the LAFD version and the Computerworld version. Cool.
You can also read more about the LAFD's social media program in PC World Magazine where they were interviewed by Brian Humphrey, the LAFD's public information officer.
Push and Pull
It seems the LAFD is using its blog and Twitter as primarily a push mechanism to the community, which is understandable in emergencies. However, I am really interested in what they are doing to talk WITH their constituency in LA. BlogTalkRadio is obviously one way.
I found this critical post (and long) about the LA Police Department and their social media blog being a one-way effort in the face of the LAPD's recent clash with the Muslin community. This post did not criticize the fire department's efforts, but they were mentioned.
I would love to hear what they think about that and how they are using social media to open a two-way conversation.
I wanted to leave you with the LAFD “Ring of Fire” video, but they had embed turned off 🙁
