And speaking of Twitter, from David Stephenson, a story of how the LA Fire Dept. is using Twitter and other Web 2.0 technologies as part of their disaster recovery and preparedness efforts. In addition, the LAFD is using Twitter just to keep citizens informed of what they're doing:

"But the most popular effort has been the Twitter account, which now has about 190 followers who can receive Twitter updates from a mobile device. For example, a Twitter will report that a structural fire is being battled by 30 firefighters, or that a car accident has occurred. It reads like a dispatch log of sorts from the calls the department receives and answers.

"'The idea for us is that not everyone who is in need of information in times of distress will be sitting in front of a computer,' Humphrey said."

From Boy, did I underestimate Twitter's value in a disaster! at Stephenson blogs on homeland security 2.0 et al.
Referenced Fri Aug 10 2007 18:37:13 GMT-0600 (MDT)