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Thursday, October 02, 2008 | 
It's certainly no secret that the Los Angeles Fire Department is an active participant in today's 'Social Media' arena.
While the LAFD News & Information blog remains the springboard for many 'Web 2.0' projects in the LAFD Lab (more about that soon), we can't overlook the immense popularity of LAFD on Twitter.
Though we remain honored that former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey mentioned LAFD during his keynote presentations, we'll admit the heartiest of smiles come when we least expect them... 
Enjoying an off-duty cup of coffee with LAFD spokesman Ron Myers the other day, we soon heard the familiar sound of our colleagues responding to a distant emergency. Not thinking too much of it (there are an average 2,104 LAFD responses each day), we heard a customer wonder aloud where the sirens were headed.
Ron and I nearly choked on our coffee simultaneously when the barista, glancing at her cell phone, answered confidently "It probably isn't anything major, or the LAFD would have Twittered about it".
Ah, the magic of direct information management - and even more so, a helpful apron-wearing participant of our 'LAFD Everywhere' initiative.
She still may be wondering why two strange men returned happily to fill her tip jar, but it was clearly our pleasure to know LAFD messages were reaching *exactly* who and where we had hoped.
Which brings us to share this amusing video that inspired the title of this blog post:
At a recent seminar, Jim Tobin of Ignite Social Media shared a favorite example of social media right and wrong. Needless to say, we're glad he understands our mission of giving - even if he didn't recognize the photo of you-know-who.
Thanks to Jim - and at least one tireless barista, we remain devoted to helping you lead safer, healthier and more productive lives, one Tweet at a time!
Do you have a favorite "Social Media" tool, website or service you think the LAFD should be using?
If so, please let us know about it in the comments below...
Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
7 comments:
You drink Starbucks?
Anonymous 9:27,
Yes, when we can't find a Peet's nearby and there are no neighborhood coffee houses to experience, Ron and I have been known to grab a cup at Starbucks while we delve into the dark recesses of the LAFD Lab.
In case you wondered, mine is usually a Venti Bold Drip. :)
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
I would LOVE to see a CAD similar to CHP's for the LAFD...
Anonymous 5:36,
Thanks for the note. Though a formal interface with the LAFD Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system is an *enterprise* tool rather than the incorporation of an existing Web 2.0 (think 'Social Media') offering, we do appreciate your interest.
While there are presently [emphasis added] no funds to create such an enterprise offering, Ron Myers and I have been working slowly but diligently over the last two years on a map interface and other user-friendly tools that would allow some of our geospatial historical and possibly real-time data to be displayed in a user-friendly way.
Yes, we hope to have the 'highway' built in a few years, but no word yet on when the City might have the desire or ability be able to put 'cars' on it.
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
Thanks for the mention Brian! And now I know who you are on Twitter. :-)
I admire what you're doing!
Jim,
You are most welcome. As public servants, we greatly appreciate and benefit from your passionate efforts at igniting social media (no pun intended).
Kindly let us know when your travel plans bring you to Los Angeles. There is plenty of room at our firehouse kitchen table, and always a warm cup of coffee with your name on it!
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
You are amazing Brian. You must have an advanced degree. As we all know that parchment is absolutely necessary in life!
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