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In an emergency, would you tweet for help?
9-1-1 Technology, Tech | Greg | August 13, 2010 at 10:02 am
If you couldn’t reach 911 in an emergency, what would you do? Call a neighbor? Scream for help? Post a plea for assistance on Facebook?
According to an American Red Cross study on emergency situations, 20% said they would reach out for help through e-mail and social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter. The survey of 1,058 U.S. adults ages 18 and over was conducted July 22 and 23.
The survey, released today, also showed that 35% of those surveyed would post a request for help directly on a response agency’s Facebook page, and 28% would send a direct Twitter message to emergency responders.
“The first and best choice for anyone in an emergency situation is to call 911,” said Gail McGovern, American Red Cross president and CEO, in a statement. “But when phone lines are down or the 911 system is overwhelmed, we know that people will be persistent in their quest for help and use social media for that purpose.”
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