Facebook

[sq51kmg365]

Does your dept have a facebook page?...and if you do what are some things that are posted to it.
I was going to make a page for my dept and post pictures, fire safety tips, any call info( time, address, nature of call, etc.) that would normally go into newpapers and public appearances or fund raisers.
Also might use it to remind members of special work nights, drills, etc.

[pegasus8891]

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php...0906268&ref=ts

[kd7fds]

Our Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php...7779950&v=wall

The admin clears all pictures with the Chief prior to posting them.

I know of another department in my region that runs their Facebook group as a private group for Fire department members only. They post all training information, drill schedules etc there.

If someone has a question about an upcoming event, they ask there.

I think a private group like that would be useful if it was used.

[zackman1801]

My department has a facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Buckfi...t/306175044641

A friend and I who are younger more tech savvy members of the dept. created the page. The chief liked it and a some of the other members like the idea and the page, for a number of reasons such as: the ability to post meeting and training times ahead of time for everyone to see, the ability to inform the public of fund raisers and dept. sponsored events that will be going on. To give the public information on things they might not otherwise know about. and to post pictures and such of our department in action to give the public a view that they might not normally see, or to see what their money is buying. Its also an extremely easy and effective way to reach alot of people very quickly.

A few of the older members of the department absolutely despise the page and think that it needs to be deleted immediately because we could spread a negative view of the dept, and that its inappropriate to post pictures of us in action. I feel that as long as pictures that do not show any victims, or other people that pictures would be ok to put up with permission from the FFs or people that they are taken of.

Its also slightly comical that these members do no like the facebook page, we used every single bit of information posted on the towns website to make the page, and these members like the page alot.
oh well cant do anything right.

[zzyyzx]

The city officially has a FB page, but the FD (we are paid career) does not. However, we have a group where membership has to be approved, but I don't think I ever see much come out on it. Out union does have a FB group (again, must be approved) and they usually send out special event messages and the such.

[neiowa]

Other than being the fad of the moment, what benefit, or purpose, do you see in having a "facebook page" if you have a website?

[CaptOldTimer]

Other than being the fad of the moment, what benefit, or purpose, do you see in having a "facebook page" if you have a website?

Totally agree, Brother.

Too much private infomation being posted on that venue.

[DeputyMarshal]

Other than being the fad of the moment, what benefit, or purpose, do you see in having a "facebook page" if you have a website?

I think it's safe to say that FB has long passed the "fad of the moment" stage. A FB page has some advantages and built-in features that are difficult to duplicate on a typical free website and not every department has a resident computer geek to run an advanced website or the budget to pay someone else to do it.

A good public relations campaign makes use of multiple media outlets to get the most reach with their message. Even if one considers FB a "fad," it's a very popular fad at the moment and can reach a large audience with minimal investment. It's just one tool in the PIO's toolbox.

[tree68]

We've got a FB page on which coming events and a few pictures are posted.

Our dispatch text messages are also forwarded there, although it's just the first line. I'll usually go in later and comment a few more basics, as appropriate (ie, no specifics for EMS calls, often just "EMS").

Gives our "fans" a taste of what we're up to.

[BoxAlarm187]

Other than being the fad of the moment, what benefit, or purpose, do you see in having a "facebook page" if you have a website?

Facebook has moved far beyond the fad of the moment. It's become a mainstream media outlet for many businesses, industries, non-profits, and the like.

Our VFD maintains both a website and a Facebook page. The website allows us to customize things more than the Facebook page, go into more detail, and things off that nature. However, the Facebook page is viewed far more often than the website, and it's brevity is more appealing to a lot of people who want an idea of what the local FD is doing and then move on from there.

The articles on the website tend to be written in more of a technical jargon sometimes since we've found it's mostly fire department folks reading the website, where as the Facebook page has a much broader reach, so those articles are written to appeal to the public.

Our statewide fire training & administration agency started doing all of their press releases via Facebook last month, for what it's worth.

[zackman1801]

Other than being the fad of the moment, what benefit, or purpose, do you see in having a "facebook page" if you have a website?

Not to sound rude but, how many people do you honestly think would check the website of a small volunteer dept. with 20 or so members and covering about 2500 people. If i wanted people to know we were having a fundraiser, or were going to be checking hydrants a particular day i would get the information to far more people with the facebook page, than i would by posting it on the website. I would put a wager on the table that many of the people in my town had no idea that there was even a Fire dept website. Not to mention the website isnt kept up to date much of the time. I think that if you keep the facebook page professional and keep it clean it is a valid and great way to spread information.
I know that a dept near mine posts daily on their facebook the daily fire conditions and class days and gives the availibility of burn permits. They also post severe or abnormal weather updates as they come in.
There really are alot of things that you can do with facebook if you keep it clean.

[voyager9]

My department has a FB page. Ironically, FB is also blocked by the department's firewall...

[ScareCrow57]

Facebook actually represents a huge security risk and is blocked by many organizations for just that purpose. Also, many organizations have a policy that states the computers and equipment are to be used for official use or business use only. This is also done to prevent users from going to potentially malicious sites or even innocuous or benign sites (ie News sites) that have been infected. Sites such as eBay, Google, and Yahoo to name a couple have been known to host malicious content from time to time.

[DeputyMarshal]

Facebook actually represents a huge security risk

Not really. Typically when FB is blocked it's by businesses not wanting their employees off surfing on social websites; not because of security concerns.

[zzyyzx]

If the city I worked in or lived in had a FB page for the FD or PD, I'd like it. That way, I could get updates about things in the community IF the dept is handling it well. Post stuff once or twice a day and keep it short and relevant.

- Increased vehicle thefts from the Ralphs on Main St... don't forget to lock you cars.
- Single Family Fire on Apple St at 4:38 am. 17 FFs responded in 8 apparatus and the fire was under control in 30 min.

Partly b/c I'm nosy and I like to know what's going on. But it would still be a good PR idea too.

[ScareCrow57]

Not really. Typically when FB is blocked it's by businesses not wanting their employees off surfing on social websites; not because of security concerns.

Actually it is highly vulnerable to XSS as well as the problem associated with running other applications in the context of the user. It is very easy to write an application that when executed gives a malicious user complete control of your system. This is true of many social networking sites and Skype as well. You can believe me as an authority on this one, many businesses and government offices block these sites do to the security risk they pose.

And as an after thought- Here is a link discussing this very issue Facebook security issues

In fact; not to long ago my account got hacked. And I use a strong password - 12 characters, Upper case and Lower case, numbers, and special characters. At any rate , I got up one morning around 7, logged not my system, and my facebook page was up. Some body was chatting with my friends who were online telling them I was in London and needed money.

[ScareCrow57]

If the city I worked in or lived in had a FB page for the FD or PD, I'd like it. That way, I could get updates about things in the community IF the dept is handling it well. Post stuff once or twice a day and keep it short and relevant.

- Increased vehicle thefts from the Ralphs on Main St... don't forget to lock you cars.
- Single Family Fire on Apple St at 4:38 am. 17 FFs responded in 8 apparatus and the fire was under control in 30 min.

Partly b/c I'm nosy and I like to know what's going on. But it would still be a good PR idea too.

A better idea is for the agency or city to maintain its own web site. Of course this means putting pertinent information on it and keeping it up to date. This is usually done by a Public Relations person.

[DeputyMarshal]

Actually it is highly vulnerable to XSS as well as the problem associated with running other applications in the context of the user.

No offense, but I'm not an internet n00b. I've been online since before it was called the internet. I don't buy into "the sky is falling" scenarios.

[ScareCrow57]

No offense, but I'm not an internet n00b. I've been online since before it was called the internet. I don't buy into "the sky is falling" scenarios.

None taken. However I am a cyber security consultant with the number security company in the world, in addition I am a CISSP. There is a lot more to the internet than just surfing. Understanding the whole TCP 3-way handshake, buffer over flows, XSS, and SQL injection ro name a few are my job. If you would like to give me your IP address I can take over your machine relatively easily. It isn't as hard as you think. Just for fun, look up script kiddies.

It is people with that attitude that the cyber crooks count on.

[MarcusKspn]

None taken. However I am a cyber security consultant with the number security company in the world, in addition I am a CISSP. There is a lot more to the internet than just surfing. Understanding the whole TCP 3-way handshake, buffer over flows, XSS, and SQL injection ro name a few are my job. If you would like to give me your IP address I can take over your machine relatively easily. It isn't as hard as you think. Just for fun, look up script kiddies.

It is people with that attitude that the cyber crooks count on.

So since you are such a security hero, please explain this:

In fact; not to long ago my account got hacked. And I use a strong password - 12 characters, Upper case and Lower case, numbers, and special characters. At any rate , I got up one morning around 7, logged not my system, and my facebook page was up. Some body was chatting with my friends who were online telling them I was in London and needed money.

Either you left your computer running without being physically present next to it, or you are simply lying. If someone in Africa was hacking your account and scamming people, you would not find yourself physically logged in to your computer. Unless of course somebody somehow got remote access to your computer, but that would never happen to a smart security guy like you. Of course leaving your computer running and having someone use it while you are gone would also never happen to a smart guy like you.

But stealing a well know scam that has been covered by every major and minor news outlet, and passing it off as some "personal experience", now that I could see happen....