No Twitter? No Problem! You Can Still Follow Virtual Ride-A-Long Tomorrow!

Do not have a Twitter account but want to follow tomorrow's (Thursday, March 26) Virtual Ride-a-Long tweets? No problem.

A Twitter feature called Fast Follow make it possible for those with a cell phone and a text
messaging plan to receive tweet’s on their phone via text.  Understand that Text messaging rates apply.

Here is how you do it:

Text “follow @MCFRSchat” to 40404.  You will get a text message back indicating you are now following @MCFRSchat.  The text will also provide guidance on how to stop the text messages if you no longer wish to receive them after Thursday.

Join Us -- Virtual Ride-a-Long This Thursday

On Thursday, March 26, at approximately 7:00 AM personnel at Fire Station #1 in Silver Spring will be participating in a “Virtual Ride-a-Long“ that will be broadcast via Montgomery County Fire and Rescue (MCFRS)  @MCFRSchat Twitter Page as well as occasional posts to the MCFRS Facebook Page. The hashtag for this event will be #mcfrs so that all of you can follow along, and engage us, without having to 'follow' or be 'followed' on the particular social platforms. 

Acting Fire Chief Scott Goldstein indicates the purpose behind this pilot initiative is to engage YOU, the residents we serve, in an innovative way and provide you an almost real time view as to what occurs during a “typical” 24-hour shift, in this case at a busy Paramedic Engine Company. Social media allows us an unique opportunity to bring you, in a “virtual” manner, into “our world.” and allows us to interact with the community.  You will “visit” a fire and rescue station and, where appropriate, be able to observe various 911 responses which highlight the outstanding work Montgomery County firefighters provide on a daily basis. 

Lieutenant Robert Furst, with some support from our Office of Public Information and Outreach, will be the lead “tweeter” on this initiative. He will be sending “tweets from the street.”  

It must be emphasized that Lieutenant Furst’s primary responsibility will be to his operational obligations and he will not be engaging in tweets/social media of any kind that would distract from the response too, and mitigation of, any emergency situations. Lieutenant Furst anticipates providing public updates until approximately 9:00 P.M. and will only provide social interaction after that if he feels appropriate.

We look forward to providing you 'A day in the life.......'

No Twitter? No Problem! You Can Still Get MCFRS Updates!

Do not have a Twitter account but want to receive Montgomery County Fire and Rescue’s tweets via text? No problem.

A Twitter feature called Fast Follow make it possible for those with a cell phone and a text messaging plan to receive tweet’s on their phone.  Understand that Text messaging rates apply.

Here is how you do it:

Text “follow @mcfrs” to 40404.  You will get a text message back indicating you are now following @MCFRS.  The text will also provide guidance on how to stop the text messages if you no longer wish to receive them.

If you follow, you can expect to receive all of the latest news, updates, and safety tips from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.

No Twitter? No Problem! You Can Still Get MCFRS Updates!

Do not have a Twitter account but want to receive Montgomery County Fire and Rescue’s tweets via text? No problem.

A Twitter feature called Fast Follow make it possible for those with a cell phone and a text messaging plan to receive tweet’s on their phone.  Understand that Text messaging rates apply.

Here is how you do it:

Text “follow @mcfrs” to 40404.  You will get a text message back indicating you are now following @MCFRS.  The text will also provide guidance on how to stop the text messages if you no longer wish to receive them.

If you follow, you can expect to receive all of the latest news, updates, and safety tips from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.

MontgomeryCo(MD)Fire‏@mcfrs

#PotomacRiver Safety @MCFRS_FireChief Lohr Reminds visitors about Water Safety (video) http://ht.ly/x6Vk7 

Social Media Platforms of MCFRS

We here at MCFRS continue to embrace social media technologies in an effort to provide value added communication services to those we serve.  The platforms have been used for emergency information, safety tips, as well as general interest information.  Hopefully, many of you have found the useful and interesting!

Below, please find links to our social media sites as the list continues to grow:

MCFRS Virtual TV                 Ustream

MCFRS Facebook page          MCFRS Blog

MCFRS on Twitter                 MCFRS on Linkedin

MCFRS on Google +              Pinterest

Flickr                                       Paper Il

Tumbler                                  Screenr

As always, be safe and please spread the word to friends and family!

No Twitter? No Problem! You Can Still Get MCFRS Updates!

Do not have a Twitter account but want to receive Montgomery County Fire and Rescue’s tweets via text? No problem.

A Twitter feature called Fast Follow make it possible for those with a cell phone and a text messaging plan to receive tweet’s on their phone.  Understand that Text messaging rates apply.

Here is how you do it:

Text “follow @mcfrs” to 40404.  You will get a text message back indicating you are now following @MCFRS.  The text will also provide guidance on how to stop the text messages if you no longer wish to receive them.

If you follow, you can expect to receive all of the latest news, updates, and safety tips from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.

MCFRS Social Media Platforms

Thanks to all of you who keep up with us via our various social media platforms.  I hope you find them interesting and informative.

We are always seeking ways to add to, and improve, our social media platforms.  As a matter of fact, look for a “Tweetchat” in the near future to solicit your input to help us improve.

 

In the interim, below, please see links to all of our social media platforms we currently utilize.  Hopefully you find at least some of them useful and utilize the sites to get much of your information as it relates to Montgomery County Fire & Rescue.

Hoping you have a Happy and SAFE weekend coming up!

-Bill D

•         MCFRS on FaceBook

•         Chief’s Blog

•         MCFRS on LinkedIn

•         MCFRS on Screenr

•         MCFRS on Twitter

•         MCFRS Virtual TV

•         Scribd

•         Flickr

•         Pinterest

•         MCFRS Digital News

•         Ustream

No Twitter? No Problem! You Can Still Get MCFRS Updates!

Do not have a Twitter account but want to receive Montgomery County Fire and Rescue’s tweets via text? No problem.

A Twitter feature called Fast Follow make it possible for those with a cell phone and a text messaging plan to receive tweet’s on their phone.  Understand that Text messaging rates apply.

Here is how you do it:

Text “follow @mcfrs” to 40404.  You will get a text message back indicating you are now following @MCFRS.  The text will also provide guidance on how to stop the text messages if you no longer wish to receive them.

If you follow, you can expect to receive all of the latest news, updates, and safety tips from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.

Incident Operations Wrap-Up From Last Night

MCFRS Units were dispatched 324 times between 5 PM & Mid-night 10/29.  The high peek period was between 8 PM to 10 PM when MCFRS units were dispatched 156 times.  From Mid-night to 4 AM this morning (10/30) units were dispatched 47 times.

During this time frame, one significant incident was located in the 20 block of Manchester Place - tree into apartment building with major gas leak.  The gas was isolated at the meter and shut off quickly.  14 adults and 5 children displaced and there were no injuries.

There were 3 dispatches for cars in the water with people trapped.  In each instance, all occupants were out and safe before arrival of MCFRS personnel.  A number of dispatches were for wires and/or trees down.

No other real significant incidents occurred during this time frame.

Media update (video) from duty PIO

TGIF Tip: MCFRS Social Media Platforms

TGIF everyone!  Thanks to all of you who keep up with us via our various social media platforms.  I hope you find them interesting and informative.

We are always seeking ways to add to, and improve, our social media platforms.  As a matter of fact, look for a “Tweetchat” in the near future to solicit your input to help us improve.

 

In the interim, below, please see links to all of our social media platforms we currently utilize.  Hopefully you find at least some of them useful and utilize the sites to get much of your information as it relates to Montgomery County Fire & Rescue.

Hoping you have a Happy and SAFE weekend!

-Bill D

•         MCFRS on FaceBook

•         Chief’s Blog

•         MCFRS on LinkedIn

•         MCFRS on Screenr

•         MCFRS on Twitter

•         MCFRS Virtual TV

•         Scribd

•         Flickr

•         Pinterest

•         MCFRS Digital News

•         Ustream

No Twitter? No Problem! You Can Still Get MCFRS Updates!

Do not have a Twitter account but want to receive Montgomery County Fire and Rescue’s tweets? No problem.

A Twitter feature called Fast Follow make it possible for those with a cell phone and a text messaging plan to receive tweet’s on their phone.  Understand that Text messaging rates apply.

Here is how you do it:

Text “follow @mcfrs” to 40404.  You will get a text message back indicating you are now following @MCFRS.  The text will also provide guidance on how to stop the text messages if you no longer wish to receive them.

If you follow, you can expect to receive all of the latest news, updates, and safety tips from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.

No Twitter? No Problem! You Can Still Get MCFRS Updates!

Do not have a Twitter account but want to receive Montgomery County Fire and Rescue’s tweets? No problem.

A Twitter feature called Fast Follow make it possible for those with a cell phone and a text messaging plan to receive tweet’s on their phone.  Understand that Text messaging rates apply.

Here is how you do it:

Text “follow @mcfrs” to 40404.  You will get a text message back indicating you are now following @MCFRS.  The text will also provide guidance on how to stop the text messages if you no longer wish to receive them.

If you follow, you can expect to receive all of the latest news, updates, and safety tips from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Live Streams Press Events via iPhone

I wanted to share a recent new addition to the Montgomery County (MD) Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) Social Media tool kit that was tested out on December 14, 2011.  The good news is it is free and provides another layer of value added service for our county residents.

Using a hand held iPhone, MCFRS live streamed two press events that were held at one of our fire and rescue stations.  The event was live streamed through our new UStream Site.

Twitter and Facebook were used to announce what was going on and where folks could go to watch it.  Of interest is the fact that one of the local web news outlets, Germantown Patch, embedded the streaming video onto their site as well thus providing a whole other platform, and audience, where people could view it.  It is hoped other news sites will follow suit in the future.

This proved to be a good first run to see how things worked and what could be done in the future.  The quality was not the best but, considering it was through an iPhone, it was not that bad either.  More sophisticated equipment should be used in the future but it is nice to know that the iPhone will work in a pinch or during an emergent situation.  We will also be able to embed any future live stream events on our MCFRS Blog as well.

The possibilities are endless!  

Stay Safe,

Bill

Follow MCFRS on Social Media During Significant Weather Event

Many of you know you receive a lot of good news and information from Montgomery County Fire & Rescue via this Blog.  But did you know that you can receive more “real time” updates and information from our various social media sites?

During this storm, MCFRS has posted several bits of information and updates via our Twitter and Facebook pages.  You can also find our Twitter feed on the right hand side of our Fire Chief’s Blog.

Below are the links to our various sites.    

MCFRS Facebook Page

MCFRS Twitter

MCFRS Blog

Be safe out there today and tomorrow! 

News Advisory: Firefighters Going Door-to-Door in Gaithersburg Neighborhood Today Checking Smoke Alarms After Two-Alarm Fire

Media Advisory Door to Door Feb 17

A quick tutorial on how to find your neighborhood fire hydrant on line

Thanks to all of you out there who have been helping us by clearing the snow out from around your local fire hydrant. Actually, I guess I should say dig your fire hydrant out from under the snow!


On a previous post, I made you aware of an on-line took that might help you find your fire hydrant: Go Here to access

Many of you, including me, have found the process rather challenging. To help with that, I have produced a quick tutorial on how to find you neighborhood fire hydrant on line. I hope this helps and PLEASE continue to try and dig the hydrants out!  For more on that: Clearing Fire Hydrants

To find the on-line tool in question just click here: Montgomery County map viewer

Video Update and Safety Tip

Thanks to our now over 1,900 Fans on Facebook! Please check your smoke alarms today to make sure they are working and go over your home fire escape plan with those you love.

MCFRS Social Media Continues to Grow!

Recently, our Facebook and Twitter pages have exceeded 1,700 and 600 fans respectively! All good stuff in a relatively short time span.

It has been truly amazing to watch this grow and see how the various fire safety messages spread well beyond our listed fans. I have observed Twitter messages, in particular, being “re-tweeted” (forwarded) and going to look at each persons’ Twitter page and seeing hundreds and thousands of “followers” for them thus meaning that many more are receiving the message.

We also send out this information via “regular” email newsletters that have over 2,000 subscribers who in turn forward the email on to their civic/community groups or other individuals.

I have also learned, and am still learning, to utilize tracking tools that show me that many more people than just our registered friends and fans are clicking in to read up on our various messages. I can also even see where they are tuning in from!

Even more interesting is the fact we have received some fantastic information from these sites. Folks have requested smoke alarm checks for their homes, File of Life requests, fire safety questions, as well as tips on potential code enforcement issues.

Hope all of our friends have had a great start to 2010 and, as always:

Stay Safe!

Bill

Candle Safety

The Holidays are fast approaching and candles are in demand. See and hear a quick presentation on Candle Safety. Click Here: MCFRS on Screenr