Shoreline Fire using social media to connect with businesses and residents

Are you interested in keeping up with news, events and information from the Shoreline Fire Department? If so, become a friend of Shoreline Fire by clicking the “Like” tab next time you visit Shoreline Fire’s FaceBook page (Shoreline Fire Department).

“We expect our citizens will find this a reliable way to follow what’s going on with their Fire Department, and to keep apprised of events, incidents and safety information,” says Melanie Granfors, Shoreline Fire’s Public Information Officer. “It is challenging to find economical ways to keep in touch with our citizens…and to provide them with the type of information they want and need.”

While Shoreline Fire maintains an informative website, a website does not provide the same speed and two-way potential as FaceBook does. A newsletter mailed to all residents, is static and one-way… and is relatively expensive in these challenging economic times.

Granfors says social media is an economical, fast and efficient way to communicate directly with residents, and to keep tabs on what people want to know about the services Shoreline Fire provides.

For instance, Shoreline Fire recently posted information about a water rescue drill and an Airlift Northwest helicopter landing that was ongoing. The post on Twitter and Facebook gave onlookers immediate information so they knew that there was not a major incident or tragedy affecting the community.

The FaceBook page also has an area where visitors can ask questions about fire and emergency medical operations. It is called “Ask a Firefighter”, and can be used to quickly get an answer to things you’ve always wanted to know about fire and rescue work.

In the event of a disaster or major incident, Shoreline Fire can quickly get information directly to residents involved, rather than solely relying on traditional broadcast and print media to relay important messages.

If you have questions or comments about Shoreline Fire’s social media initiative, please contact Melanie Granfors at 206-349-7074, or via FaceBook, website or email.