Now wouldn't THAT just open the door to a whole new host of problems? I know people (including myself) enjoy their Facebook and the like but there's a time and a place for it and this just isn't one of them.
A new Ipsos-Reid poll suggests more than a third of surveyed Canadians (who responded to the survey) believe their calls for help (like one would normally use 911 for) could be adequately looked after via a social media outlet like Facebook, Twitter or email. If we thought there was a potential for lawsuits before for ambulances, police or firefighters not showing up in a prompt fashion, let's give this a whirl. Wow.
There's a place for social media in a lot of areas of life - but these areas should all be of a non-urgent matter. Ask a doctor a question online, a mechanic, your hairstylist... get help picking out cupboard doors but for gosh sakes - should you be sitting on Facebook hoping a firefighter is online while your house burns down around you? What are some people thinking?
The poll, of about 1,000 Canadians, found that 35 per cent believe first responders like police and firefighters should be accessible for emergency calls via social media. Of this group, 74 per cent say they would expect help within an hour. Seriously?
So here we would have an officer or a firefighter - who might otherwise be busy helping someone or carrying out preventative measures in some way, shape or form - sitting on Facebook waiting to chat with whoever comes along. Do you know how many lonely people there are out there who just love to get a firefighter or police officer online and at their beck and call? Think about it. Can you say abuse of a service? And let's face it, while some first responders would be diligent and strictly monitor online pleas for help in the way they should, people are people and the potential to sit back and chat instead of working would no doubt come into play more often than not. We're all human after all.
Toronto police say they do indeed use social media for some non-emergency situations and why not? But they also say 911 is not the time for that and I agree.
Save your Facebook for your friends and family, pick up your phone if you have an emergency. If you need help in a hurry nothing beats in person or the good 'ole telephone.
