Agenda at a Glance

Every platform has its strengths, quirks, and pitfalls, especially when you're operating under the constraints common to first responder agencies: limited staffing, limited budget, and high stakes where every hour counts.  In this workshop, we dig deep into which platforms make sense (and when), what to watch out for, and what “good” really looks like – all through the lens of real, attending-agency accounts.  Participants will leave with not just ideas, but personalized corrections, optimizations, and clarity on where to invest limited resources for maximum effect. 

What we’ll cover:

• Comparison and overview of the major social platforms: pros, cons, hidden costs, and engagement patterns.
• How platform algorithms, audience expectations, content types, and risk differ across platforms.
• What low-cost/budget-friendly efforts tend to yield the most traction (and what drains resources)
• Live audits of real agency social media accounts submitted in advance (or selected from attendees) to identify quick wins and pitfalls.

Agenda and Activities

Part 1: Platform Landscape & Strategic Selection

Objective: Where each platform shines, where it fails, and how to choose wisely

• Overview of today’s most relevant platforms for first responders
• Pros, cons, and hidden costs of each platform
• Audience expectations
• Matching platforms to communication goals
• Platform risk factors
• How to decide where time and resources should go
• Kick off live audits

Part 2: Best Practices on a Small Budget

Objective: How to manage accounts effectively without overspending

• Continue live audits
• Core best practices for each platform
• Time-saving strategies
• Building trust
• Engaging your community
• Pitfalls to avoid

Part 3: LIVE Social Media Account Audits, Recommendations, and Q&A

• Attendees will be able to submit their social media accounts ahead of time for a live audit! 

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What if your next viral post is sitting in your firehouse, precinct, or city office, but no one’s hitting record? Getting sworn staff, civilian employees, and leadership to participate in social media content can feel like an uphill battle, but it doesn’t have to be. In this session, we’ll dive into real strategies to build trust, spark buy-in, and inspire participation across all levels of your organization.  

Learn how to shift mindsets, identify the right storytellers, and create an environment where everyone, from the newest recruit to the fire chief, feels proud to represent your agency online. 

You’ll walk away with practical tools, conversation starters, and examples that show how authentic collaboration can transform your content and your culture.

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• Selecting trends that align with your agency’s voice and values
• Gaining leadership buy-in by addressing common misconceptions and communicating the value of trend participation
• Measuring and reporting impact using meaningful metrics like localized views, engagement quality, and follower growth. 

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Turn your ideas into polished videos ready to impact social media! In this presentation, you’ll learn the full journey of video production—from the first spark of inspiration to hitting “publish.” We’ll break down each stage with real-world tips and examples that help you think like a content creator for anyone organization or project.

You’ll discover how to:

• Develop a Concept – Find your story, define your message, and choose a style that fits your goals.
• Plan the Shoot – Write scripts, plan shots,  and prepare your gear.
• Capture the Vision – Learn camera basics, audio and lighting tips, and how to direct people naturally.
• Edit with Purpose – Shape your footage, use sound and music to build emotion, and create rhythm in your cuts.
• Publish & Promote – Format videos for YouTube, TikTok, or social media, and craft titles and thumbnails that grab attention.

By the end, you’ll know how to take a video from concept to upload with confidence, creativity, and a professional touch—no big studio required.

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Seconds count on social media, especially when a crisis unfolds. On the inside, time moves far too fast, but to the world you are communicating with, it can feel like each update eeks out slowly. Can you ensure your agency is ready to respond rapidly and with authenticity and efficiency in a crisis? Yes! In this webinar, learn how not only to time posts, updates, stories, and reels just right on social media in a crisis, but also walk away with a game plan for your agency so you don't just survive your next crisis, you thrive. 

Takeaways include:

1. Develop a rapid-response framework. Learn how to organize your team, workflows, and approval processes so you can post timely, verified information without sacrificing accuracy or tone.
2. Craft authentic, steady updates under pressure. Discover techniques for maintaining public trust through consistent, human-centered messaging that keeps your community informed during emergencies.
3. Build a crisis-ready content plan. Leave with tips for creating your content playbook and timing strategy for posts, updates, and reels that help your agency not just react—but communicate confidently and effectively.

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In this 20‑minute session, we’ll walk through Nextdoor’s free government platform (http://Nextdoor.com/agency) and product updates that help public agencies move neighbors from awareness to action. We’ll cover Alerts, and how to use Polls to measure the qualitative actions residents take in response to your communications, and how to view and engage with content from other public agencies, publishers, alerting partners, and Nextdoor. You’ll learn how to plug into the larger information ecosystem, add your authoritative voice at the right moments, and leave with practical, repeatable best practices you can apply to your very next post or activation.

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These breakout rooms are the best opportunity to meet other attendees in small, approachable groups. Like a speed networking event, we'll create small breakout rooms of 5-6 people with provided discussion topics and switch up the rooms every 15 minutes to help you connect with other gov pros.

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Managing social media, internal and external communications, and serving as an agency’s public information officer can feel like juggling a dozen roles at once: content creator, writer, videographer, strategist, and crisis communicator. This session will provide practical tips to help solo social media managers build sustainable systems to keep content consistent and engaging, while also being prepared to switch gears and respond quickly and effectively during crises. Attendees will learn how to balance creativity and structure, streamline workflows, and set realistic personal boundaries for a positive work-life balance.

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• Creating realistic, sustainable content calendars
• Implementing tools and templates that streamline decisions under pressure
• Communicating with clarity and purpose in a fast-moving emergency response environment

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The comment section can be a mosh pit, and getting jostled with virtual elbows comes with the territory. Do you let 'em fly, shut down the party, or find a happy medium with moderation? How can you tell the difference between a Negative Nancy and a true troll? Add misinformation to the mix, and things can get even more complicated. 

Learn how to navigate the turbulent social waters online while maintaining a strong, authentic brand presence that's aligned with your agency's values. We'll also talk about ways to manage misinformation proactively and reactively. You'll leave this session with evidence-based behavioral insights, tools to support your social media staff, and strategy cornerstones to strengthen your communication program both online and IRL.

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In a digital landscape where algorithms constantly change, and follower counts don’t always equal trust, first responder agencies must rethink what “engagement” really means. This session explores how intentional, human-centered social media strategies can turn passive followers into an active, invested community—without sacrificing professionalism or public trust. Drawing from real-world examples, this presentation breaks down how small shifts in tone, content, and interaction can dramatically change how the public connects with your agency online.

Attendees will hear strategies behind successful Instagram and Facebook content, including how consistent commenting, authentic short-form video, and behind-the-scenes storytelling using body-worn camera (BWC) footage have driven meaningful conversations, increased reach, and strengthened community relationships.

Key Takeaways:

• How proactive commenting and conversation-building on Instagram can increase trust, visibility, and community loyalty
• Why BWC-based Reels resonate with audiences and how to use them responsibly to humanize first responders
• What makes “tappy” videos so successful on Facebook—and how to replicate that engagement without gimmicks
• Practical ways to shift your social media mindset from broadcasting information to building genuine connections

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• Develop specialized content designed to boost engagement, following, and impressions. 
• Deliver clear and timely information to effectively capture the attention of local and national media outlets. 
• Strengthen audience engagement through meaningful interaction and responsiveness. 
• Leverage Facebook’s full range of tools to connect with and engage your target audience. 

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In today’s world, law enforcement agencies face unprecedented scrutiny. The challenges are complex, but one thing is clear: there has never been a greater need for clear, timely, and transparent communication. 

Too often, agencies rely on traditional media to tell their story and humanize their officers. Yet we know that local news is losing influence, while social media has become the primary source of information for most Americans. 

That is why IMPD takes its message directly to the community. Through social media, we share the realities of the job, highlight the impact of officers, and tell stories of service, connection, and dedication that go beyond the badge. 

This session will explore how storytelling has become a strategic necessity for modern law enforcement. You will see how IMPD leverages social media to connect with its community, build trust, and strengthen transparency. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Storytelling is essential, not optional, and it must be done right to be effective.
• Agencies must meet audiences where they are, adapting to the digital landscape.
• Humanizing officers and building community trust requires direct engagement, not reliance on traditional media alone.
• Clear, consistent messaging reinforces credibility and transparency.
• YOU are responsible for ensuring your story is told accurately and reaches the right audience. 

Join us for an inside look at how IMPD is shaping public perception, connecting with the community, and using strategic storytelling to make a real impact. 

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Recruitment at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office increasingly depends on meeting potential applicants where they already spend time: on social media and digital platforms. These channels allow JSO to show the reality of the job, introduce officers and civilian employees, and highlight career opportunities in a way that feels accessible, timely, and authentic.

This session breaks down how JSO uses specific content types, posting strategies, and digital partnerships to support recruitment goals. Attendees will see how short-form video, behind-the-scenes content, and third-party amplification are used to increase awareness, drive interest, and move potential candidates toward taking the next step in the hiring process.

Attendees will learn about:

• The types of recruitment content JSO produces (reels, ride-along clips, “day in the life,” unit spotlights) and why they work
• How JSO leverages digital partnerships with media outlets, community organizations, and creators to expand reach
• Platform-specific tactics for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube
• How recruitment performance is tracked using views, engagement quality, link clicks, and applicant interest

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Public Information Officers play a critical leadership role in shaping how a department is viewed, trusted, and supported by the community. This session focuses on the PIO’s responsibility to tell the department’s story clearly, consistently, and authentically, across both digital platforms and face-to-face interactions.

Participants will explore how effective communication reinforces the department’s mission, vision, and values, ensuring they are not only shared with the public but also demonstrated through everyday actions and messaging. The presentation examines how trust is built before emergencies occur, how it is tested during incidents, and how PIOs can help ensure their agency’s words and actions remain aligned with the community.

Through practical examples, this session highlights leadership-driven strategies for transparency, credibility, and relationship-building. Attendees will gain tools to strengthen public confidence online, at community events, during incidents, and in routine interactions, so the department’s message is consistent, understood, and trusted wherever the public encounters it.

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