WARRAGUL Fire Brigade has implemented a new social media policy with a goal of improving communication with community members.
First published in the 24 April 2015 edition of the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen. Click here to read the entire edition online.
ADVERTISEMENT
Warragul CFA uses Facebook and Twitter to release updates, emergency warnings and alerts for local residents, and the new policy seeks to improve engagement, along with most other CFA units across Baw Baw.
Volunteer firefighter and 2nd Lieutenant Daniel Eshuis said the brigade’s social media activity aimed to engage younger demographics in particular.
“Building upon our presence on social media allows us to reach a younger demographic and is also an effective way to reach a broad cross-section of the community,” Mr Eshuis told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.
According to Mr Eshuis, the Warragul CFA became active on social media four years ago but has only recently increased its presence.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We began using social media platforms in 2011 but have only this year begun to properly embrace it and improve the quality of our usage,” he said.
Recently, Warragul CFA launched its own photo blog on Facebook, Faces of Warragul, which sees profiles of brigade members released every Sunday.
Inspired by the internationally popular American blog Humans of New York, Faces of Warragul encourages the community to become familiar with their local fire fighters and appreciate the work they do.
“Faces of Warragul provides the community an opportunity to learn about their local fire fighters, who work as volunteers for the brigade,” Mr Eshuis said.
“Other brigades around the state have done [photo blogs] for a while now.
“I take the photos myself, ask the person questions and record the answers.”
On its Facebook page, the Warragul CFA also posts “Throwback Thursday” articles, which look back on past events or milestones concerning members of the brigade.
One recent Throwback Thursday post paid tribute to former Captain, Mark Lacey, who died two years ago.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr Eshuis said the Warragul CFA considered social media an important way of engaging with the community.
“In the future, we will continue to release local content that’s relevant and important to our community.”
Emergency Warnings are posted on Warragul CFA’s Twitter account automatically.
You can find the Warragul Fire Brigade and many other Baw Baw brigades on Facebook by searching for the name of the brigade. On Twitter, Warragul CFA’s handle is @WarragulCFA.
Warragul CFA monitors social media platforms during business hours and major emergencies only. Regular fire and emergency information can be found online at emergency.vic.gov.au. If you need to report a fire, call Triple Zero (000).
