Social Media as a Lifesaving Tool

April 16, 2013 | admin

24 hours ago, some of our friends living and visiting Boston thought it was going to be another beautiful Patriot’s Day.  More than 23,000 people looked at it as a day a milestone would be reached, by completing the 117th running of the Boston Marathon.  The deadly explosions yesterday in Boston changed all of that.

By now, we hope that you have heard from your friends and family who were in the area immediately affected.  If not, The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency has three suggestions on how to find your loved ones and to register yourself as “safe” for those looking for people in Boston:

  1. Boston Mayor’s hotline: 617-635-4500
  2. Red Cross Safe and Well: 1-800-RED-CROSS or http://redcross.org/safeandwell
  3. Google Person Finder: http://google.org/personfinder/2013-boston-explosions

Anyone who is going to be in the Boston area within the next few days will want to check out the Twitter account for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency to find out about transportation closings: @MassEMA.

We are saddened by the events of yesterday, and we applaud the emergency workers, volunteers, and all those who are helping people directly affected by the attacks.  We know many of you want to help out, too.  The American Red Cross issued a statement late last night saying in the coming weeks and months, they will need blood donations and if you are interested, you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org

Nothing can erase what we saw, read and experienced yesterday.  This morning we are grateful for the powerful social media, which we use in our jobs and daily lives, that helps us connect in unprecedented ways.