Swalwell Pushes FEMA to Make Data Available for Social Media Use During Disasters

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15) sent a bipartisan letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator W. Craig Fugate, urging FEMA to adopt open data standards to enhance social media alerts in disaster situations. In a July Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing led by Rep. Swalwell and Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications Chairman Rep. Susan Brooks on the role of social media in an emergency situation, witnesses noted certain obstacles undermining the dissemination of vital, life-saving information. Of particular note, the hearing revealed that a significant amount of government data is only available via PDF or other unusable formats for emergency personnel.

An Executive Order issued in May by the Administration directed government agencies to provide newly generated data in a publicly accessible machine, readable, and open format like CSV, SCML and JSON. In turn, emergency managers, first responders and volunteer organizations will have timely access to life-saving information, and innovators can take advantage of the data to develop new products, like mobile applications, that can assist in an emergency situation.

"From the devastating tornados this past weekend in Illinois to Superstorm Sandy, we know the game changing power of social media from Twitter and Facebook to mobile applications to Google docs when disaster strikes, said Rep. Swalwell. "Social media alerts can lead people to safety before a storm strikes and direct them to important resources like food and shelter after the event. I want to ensure that FEMA follows through on implementing the Executive Order in a timely fashion so their data is open and accessible for those who need it in a catastrophic emergency situation."

In the letter, Swalwell requested FEMA provide an update on their progress collecting and creating data in an open format. The letter was signed by Reps. Susan Brooks (R-IN), Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Peter King (R-NY), Steven Palazzo (R-MS), and Yvette Clarke (D-NY).

"One of the main take-aways from the series of hearings the Subcommittee held on how social media is transforming emergency management was the need for the government to provide data in a readable and usable format," said Rep. Brooks. "This is especially important in disasters when critical information can save lives. Just this week, I toured storm damaged communities in Indiana where local emergency management agencies harnessed the power of social media to keep citizens informed and safe. I look forward to working with FEMA to ensure that the data they provide can be leveraged in the most efficient and effective way possible."

"Social media has revolutionized the way we respond to disasters," said Rep. Payne, Jr. "After Hurricane Sandy, survivors used social media to reconnect with loved ones; to share information about which gas stations, grocery stores, and pharmacies were open; and to coordinate volunteer efforts. Big data technologies can be used to facilitate more effective, efficient emergency response, but we need to make sure that the information made available is usable. That's why it is critical FEMA provide our emergency responders the tools and life-saving information in a readable format so that they can respond more appropriately and effectively in times of emergency."

Read the full letter here.