VOST

VIRTUAL OPERATIONS .

SUPPORT .TEAM .

The Virtual Operations Support Team (VOST) concept was developed in 2010-2011 by a group of passionate emergency management communicators and technologists interested in harnessing social media during disasters, crises, and critical events.

Through the comprehensive VOST Training & Exercise Package, Epicenter Media & Training partners with local, county, state, or regional agencies to create a sophisticated, virtual team and force-multiplier for a variety of agencies.

VOST is a flexible, tested solution to public information management needs. These teams support their organization with actionable, real-time intelligence to improve outcomes, enhance common operating picture, and engage critical stakeholders.

What is VOST?

VOST Capabilities

Actionable, Real-time Intelligence Social Media Listening & Reporting Crowdsourced Information Gathering Crisis Mapping Incident Analytics & Archiving Amplification & Curation Misinformation & Rumor Management Virtual Operations Support

VOST Deployments

Civil UnrestNatural Hazards

Crisis Comms. TerrorismPlanned Events

Technological Incidents

VOST Goals

Build a sustainable, collaborative and integrated team of professionals to support crisis/emergency management

Leverage volunteers and existing staff to assist with emergency communications and information gathering

Train VOST personnel to utilize new media platforms to improve crisis & emergency communications

Sample VOST Development

Basic SM & EM Training

• “Ground-Social” Training Course

• Other training from FEMA, NDPTC, etc.

VOST “Launch” Workshop

• For team leadership and coordinators

• Ideally includes community outreach and coordination with key partners

VOST Initial Training

• Team-building

• VOST structure

• Tools, tips and tricks

• Social media listening

• Team coordination

Advanced Training

• Topics vary:

• Advanced social media listening

• Data visualization

• Crisis mapping

• Others

VOSTTabletop Exercise

• Includes partner agencies

• Exercise plans, policies, and guides

• Manage expectations

Ongoing Training & Exercises

• Developed, conducted and evaluated by Master Exercise Practitioners and/or other SMEs

• Online and/or instructor-led options

Increased capacity building over time

VOST “Launch” Workshop

Length: 1-day

Goal: Drive buy-in, explore VOST mission areas, begin planning & team development process

Team structure and responsibilities Products and deliverables Tools and resources Activation protocols Handbook development & developmental planning

Usually includes follow-up consulting to support creation of policies, guidebooks, and other resources.

VOST Initial Training Session

Length: ½ or 1-day sessions available

Goal: Provide personnel with the knowledge, skills and abilities to respond as part of a Virtual Operations Support Team at the local, county, state or regional level.

Team structure and responsibilities Products and deliverables Tools and resources Social media listening techniques Team collaboration/coordination

Can also be paired with ½-day advanced training.

VOST Tabletop Exercise

Length: ½-day

Goal: Exercise initial capabilities and ensure VOST expectations and performance are managed appropriately.

Discussion-based TTX Developed and facilitated by Master Exercise

Practitioners (MEPs) and/or subject-matter experts Includes Situation Manual (SitMan), After Action Report,

and Improvement Plan

Can also be paired with ½-day advanced training.

Joint Information System integration/coordination

Social media outreach and engagement

Advanced and geo-targeted monitoring

GIS/Mapping & data visualization

Platform-specific Training

Other VOST Training

VOST Training/Exercise Package

Initial VOST Training

Recruitment Support

Tabletop Exercise

Consultative Support

EDSU Surge Support

Outreach & Education

All VOST training and exercise sessions can be requested individually or through the VOST Training/Exercise Package.

This one-of-a-kind package is designed to take a group of disparate volunteers and/or staff through a series of learning programs and challenging exercises to build a fully-functioning Virtual Operations Support Team, from the ground up.

Continuous Support

Capacity-building through continuous team development:

Webinars & Online Training Ongoing Consultation Custom Exercises Advanced Training Networking (with other VOSTs) Team Leadership &

Administration

Successful Deployments

“Epicenter Media & Training did a great job customizing our program to meet our needs.

They bring expert knowledge to the table combined with a dynamic, interactive training format. To top it off, their

personnel understand the political context of emergency management and helped us position our new VOST for

success by designing a VIP info session for us.

You’re not just getting a trainer, you’re getting a coach and facilitator.”

-Allyson Schulz, MPHCTVOST Coordinator

Additional Benefits

Select participating agencies may be eligible for premium discounts from our partners.

These offers are only for VOSTs trained by Epicenter Media & Training:

Get Started With VOST

Unlock your true potential with Epicenter Media & Training and build your social media capabilities with the VOST training/exercise program.

To find out if VOST is right for your jurisdiction, request a consultation with the VOST training/exercise team today!

vost@epimetra.com+1 (585) 210-3011

www.epicentermediatraining.com/VOST

“Great energy and attitude… an inspiration to work with”

PO Box 64363 Rochester, NY+1 (585) 210-3011

info@epimetra.com