Social media is a reliable method for communicating about emergencies, so emergency responders use social media in conjunction with the 911 system as much as possible.

While social media can be a useful tool for disseminating information quickly, it is not always reliable for communicating about emergencies due to misinformation, lack of access during power outages, and the inability to ensure messages reach emergency responders in a timely manner. Emergency responders may use social media to share information, but it does not replace the direct and immediate communication provided by calling 911.