Emergency Traffic - Public Safety Resource Network

General questions about Emergency Traffic

1. What is the mission of Emergency Traffic?

   The primary mission of EmergencyTraffic.net is to be an open resource for public education in all areas of public safety with an emphasis in being prepared before, during and after emergencies including natural and man-made disasters. The secondary mission is to network and share resources with the Social Media & Emergency Management community (#SMEM on Twitter).

2. Is Emergency Traffic associated with any public safety or government agencies?

   No. EmergencyTraffic.net is not affiliated with any law enforcement, fire service or government agency in any capacity.

Membership questions

1. Is membership required to access content?

   Membership IS NOT required to access content unless labeled as "Members Only" or "Restricted Access."

2. Who is membership intended for?

   Membership is intended for current and former public safety professionals as well as enthusiasts.

   Membership is also for Public safety agencies, websites, blogs and emergency managers. These particular profile pages will be verified to prevent impersonation. 

   Commercial companies offering products related to public safety may have profile pages with a limited membership permission level.
   

   Owners of both commercial & non-commercial public safety social networks may create profile pages as well.
   

3. Does it cost anything to create a profile?

   No. EmergencyTraffic.net is funded by donations and advertisements. There are never any fees for creating profiles (this includes commercial company profiles) or accessing any content on this website.

Profile pages for public safety agencies and emergency managers

1. What is the purpose of having profile pages for public safety agencies and emergency managers?

   Profile pages for public safety agencies and emergency managers offer another way for the public to find where agencies and managers are on the internet. Ownership of these profile pages are verified to prevent imposters.

Profile pages for public safety websites and blogs

1. Why are there profile pages for websites and blogs?

   Public safety websites & blogs are considered to be a valuable resource. Ownership of profile pages for websites and blogs are verified.

Profile pages for commercial company websites

1. Why are commercial websites allowed to have profile pages?

   Allowing commercial companies to have profile pages solves two main problems.

   First: Merchandise offered on commercial websites that are geared toward public safety and disaster preparedness are considered to be a resource.

   Second: It cuts down on spam. By allowing profile pages, it gives the visitors the option of looking for the commercial profile pages.

2. What are the rules regarding SPAM?

   Blogs, forums, videos and photos and any other area of the site may not be used for unauthorized commercial promotion.

   Using this site inappropriately to spam/advertise or solicit members in any way will result in account termination.
   

3. Is there a directory for products and services?

   We are currently developing a directory for public safety & disaster preparedness products and services.

   Listing your service in this directory will be free and will require linking EmergencyTraffic.net to your website.

4. Are commercial company websites endorsed by Emergency Traffic?

   No. Commercial company websites are not endorsed by EmergencyTraffic.net.

   Profile pages for commercial company websites are allowed to provide a resource to site visitors and to reduce spam.

Profile Page Verification

1. How are profiles for websites and blogs verified?

   There are two ways to verify ownsership of public safety websites or blogs. The easiest way is to link the associated Twitter account on the website or blog. Our Twitter account @EmrgncyTraffic will follow website's Twitter account. The account can be verified via 'Direct Message' or 'Mention' on Twitter acknowledging that profile page was created.

   The other way to verify ownership is through the contact email address associated with the website or blog. We will exchange email with the email address acknowledging creation of profile page.

2. Why are profile pages verified?

   Ownership of profile pages for agencies, emergency managers, websites & blogs are verified for several reasons. Verification provides peace of mind that you are not dealing with anyone pretending to be a public safety agency, emergency manager, website or blog.