The Virtual Operations Support Team (VOST) was created in 2010-2011 to leverage social media for emergency management during critical events. It offers comprehensive training and support to enhance real-time intelligence, crisis communication, and stakeholder engagement. VOST aims to build sustainable, collaborative teams that utilize new media platforms for effective crisis response.

1. VOST
VIRTUAL
OPERATIONS .
SUPPORT .
TEAM .

2. 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?

3. 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

4. VOST Deployments
Civil Unrest
Natural
Hazards
Crisis Comms. Terrorism
Planned
Events
Technological
Incidents

5. 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

6. 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
VOST
Tabletop 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10.  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

11. 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.

12. Continuous Support
Capacity-building through
continuous team development:
 Webinars & Online Training
 Ongoing Consultation
 Custom Exercises
 Advanced Training
 Networking (with other VOSTs)
 Team Leadership &
Administration

13. 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, MPH
CTVOST Coordinator

14. 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:

15. 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

16. 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