You’ve likely heard about Nextdoor and you’re probably reading this to learn more about how you and your fellow Emergency Managers around the county are using Nextdoor for Public Agencies, our free government interface, to help your resident better prepare for, respond to, and recovery from disasters.
The purpose of this engagement plan is to provide you with everything you need to know about how to get the most of our Nextdoor for Public Agencies so you can hit the ground running confidently. If we’ve left something out, leave a comment to let us know!
In this post, you will learn about how neighbors use Nextdoor in their neighborhoods; how Emergency Managers are using Nextdoor for Public Agencies; what, where, how often to post a message on Nextdoor and which staff to give access; key ingredients to delight residents, best practices to drive engagement, frequently asked questions, and helpful resources and how to get technical support; and finally, impactful messages to share with your residents on Nextdoor.
Nextdoor is the world’s largest social network for the neighborhood. Nextdoor enables truly local conversations that empower neighbors to build stronger and safer communities.
Building connections in the real world is a universal human need. That truth, and the reality that neighborhoods are one of the most important and useful communities in our lives, have been a guiding principle for Nextdoor since it was founded in 2011. Neighbors in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Australia are using Nextdoor.
Neighbors rely on Nextdoor to connect with their local communities and have conversations about everything from finding a local service provider to learning about a rash of break-ins. Unlike other social media platforms, Nextdoor was built from the ground up with the neighborhood in mind.
What makes Nextdoor different from other social platforms?
Nextdoor is Hyperlocal. Neighborhoods are founded by neighbors, with mapped boundaries.
Nextdoor is Private. Only members with a verified address may access their community’s Nextdoor neighborhood. Members are also required to use their real names
Nextdoor Useful. Recommendations, classifieds, events, crime & safety, and more!
Nextdoor for Public Agencies, our free government interface, enables emergency managers to build strong ties and trust with the neighborhoods they serve to improve the effectiveness of their mitigation, community preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.
With access to Nextdoor for Public Agencies, staff can geo-target messages to specific neighborhoods or hazard zones, or their entire municipality improving the reach and efficiency of their outreach. Nextdoor members who are verified residents automatically receive staff communications.
Unique capabilities and differentiators:
Reach residents in the right places. Share information with whom it matters most by sending messages to targeted service areas and neighborhoods.
Engage in constructive conversations. Mitigate online “trolling” by ensuring residents are who they say they are — Nextdoor users must verify their address, use their real name, and adhere to community guidelines.
Drive positive outcomes offline. Solicit feedback, educate the community with interactive polls, and improve attendance at local events and training sessions.
We think about posts in two categories, Inform and Educate, and Activate and we’ve broken out examples accordingly below.
As needed — post discussions about:
Weekly — post discussions and polls about:
As needed — post discussions to get neighbors to:
As needed: Post urgent alerts about:
As needed: Post discussion and polls to gather situational awareness:
Neighborhood —As often as you like/need to
Citywide/Countywide —Weekly
Statewide —Monthly (Please close discussions)
If there is a major announcement or incident, post as needed where needed
PIOs + Director, preparedness, planning, and recovery staff
Table of content:
Your first post on Nextdoor:
Proven messages to share on Nextdoor:
Assessing the value of communications on Nextdoor:
Subject: Hello from the [Agency Name] Emergency Management Agency
Hello, neighbors!
My name is [Your Name] and I am the [Your Title] at [Agency Name] Emergency Management Agency. I am pleased to let you know that starting today, we will commence using Nextdoor’s free government interface. We’ll be using Nextdoor to share tips and resources to keep you, your family and neighbors safe. Also, we will use Nextdoor to let you know when we offer training and when we host community meetings near you.
As a member of Nextdoor that lives in [City/County], you’ll automatically get our messages. If you no longer wish to receive our updates, you can manage your preferences here — http://bit.ly/NextdoorGovManage
Please keep in mind that your Nextdoor neighborhood network remains private to only you and your neighbors who are verified residents of your Nextdoor neighborhood network. We are NOT able to see what you and your neighbors are discussing, though we will receive your replies to our posts when discussions are enabled.
Note: We do not continually monitor Nextdoor, and you should NOT use Nextdoor to request emergency services. If you require emergency services, call 911.
We look forward to working with you to make [City/County Name] an even safer for all.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Agency Name]
For “Ask a question”: Have you personally experienced a natural, technological, or manmade disaster?
For “Add a poll description”: Pick one option below, and if you selected yes, please share any lessons you’ve learned below as a comment.
For “Add a choice” fields:
For “Ask a question”: Have you received help from a neighbor or given help to a neighbor during a disaster?
For “Add a poll description”: Pick one option below, and share any experiences you may have had as a comment.
For “Add a choice” fields:
For “Ask a question”: Did you know that most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flooding?
For “Add a poll description”: Flooding is one of the most costly types of damage to a home, most people do not know that they must purchase a separate flood insurance policy. Let us know if you knew this by selecting one of the options below. Also, if you have been affected by flooding, feel free to share some lessons learned as a comment.
For “Add a choice” fields:
For “Ask a question”: Which option below best reflects the last time you checked your insurance deductible?”
For “Add a poll description”: Some homeowners insurance policies have different deductibles for different types of losses. Some of these can be several thousand dollars. The time to find out the amount of your deductible is now, not when you have a claim. Pick the option below that best reflects the last time you checked your deductibles.
For “Add a choice” fields:
For “Ask a question”: Do you have an NOAA weather radio in your home?
For “Add a poll description”:
Weather radios broadcast continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office. You can select the type of broadcasts you want to hear including daily forecasts, severe weather warnings, watches, and other hazard information. Let us know if you have one!
For “Add a choice” fields:
For “Ask a question”: Do you have 8 glasses of water per person per day in your household to last 3 days?
For “Add a poll description”:
If the pipes in your home were to freeze, the electricity goes out and you have a well, or if there was a major blackout and your utility company was unable to pressurize water throughout your community, you will need 1 gallon of water per person in your household to last 3 for at least days.
Please pick on one option below that best fits your level of preparation. Please also feel free to share any tips you may have with your neighbors as a comment.
For “Add a choice” fields:
For “Ask a question”: Are you able to make at least 3 meals a day per person for three days without having to cook or rely on refrigerated or frozen food?
For “Add a poll description”: Pick one option below, and if you selected yes, please share any tips you have with your neighbors as a comment.
For “Add a choice” fields:
For “Ask a question”: Do you have enough battery power, or the ability to generate power, to stay safe and healthy during a power outage lasting more than 3 days?
For “Add a poll description”: Pick one option below, and if you selected yes, please share any tips you have with your neighbors as a comment.
For “Add a choice” fields:
For “Ask a question”: Do you have any out-of-state contacts if you become separated from your family members?
For “Add a poll description”: Pick one option below, and if you selected yes, please share any tips you have with your neighbors as a comment.
For “Add a choice” fields:
For “Ask a question”: Do you have enough money saved that you could easily access for emergency costs?
For “Add a poll description”: Pick one option below, and if you selected yes, please share any tips you have with your neighbors as a comment.
For “Add a choice” fields:
For “Ask a question”: Have you identified more than one way to leave your neighborhood if your first choice for evacuation is blocked?
For “Add a poll description”: Pick one option below, and if you selected yes, please share any tips you have with your neighbors as a comment.
For “Add a choice” fields:
For “Ask a question”: Do you have a go kit?
For “Add a poll description”: In the event of an emergency, you may not have time to find or collect essential items in a hurry. A go-kit is a collection of basic items, such as prescriptions, blankets, family documents, extra food and water for pets and individuals, whistles etc., compiled and ready to go in the event of a quick evacuation. Consider your family’s unique needs when creating your kit. For more information and suggestions, visit https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit
For “Add a choice”:
For “Ask a question”: Since participating in our recent discussions and polls we’ve posted, which option best describes the actions you’ve to better prepare yourself and your household?
For “Add a poll description”: Our goal is to ensure you are informed about the hazards you face and the actions you can take to prepare yourself and your family.
Please pick the option below to best describes the actions you’ve taken to better prepare yourself and your household?
For “Add a choice” fields:
We hope you found this information helpful. If we missed something or you have a question, please leave a comment, neighbor!