Social media tends to be a one-way communication for FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency used social media tools to inform the public as a major winter storm moved across the country this week, but experts said the agency should make it a two-way street and listen to what the public is saying as well. On its Twitter page, FEMA has been Tweeting updates about storm preparedness and its effects to more than 29,200 followers. The Tweets are informative, such as linking to new data about the storm on the agency's website, as well as service-oriented: "If you'll be removing snow/ice in the next few days, take frequent breaks: Cold temps & exertion can cause a heart attack #blizzard." The agency also posted daily blizzard updates on Facebook for its nearly 26,000 fans.