Attack on ISIS in Syria Reported via Twitter

How did the world find out about the launching of allied attacks on ISIS in Syria and Iraq? Social media, of course! See: 'Huge explosions shook the city': Twitter user breaks news of Raqqa airstrikes

I am sure the DOD news release came much later informing the world of a coordinated attack on ISIS positions, but the breaking news came from someone living in the area, hearing the bombs and missiles rain down.

So too, it will be our citizens and residents who tell us what is happening when emergencies and disasters strike.

Having spent yesterday in a day-long session on harnessing the use of social media for emergency management, this report puts an exclamation mark on the need to have a system and personnel in place.