Outreach Your Department Can Do

Outreach Your Department Can Do

Now that your landing page for Community Connect is complete and your social media accounts are primed for outreach, you can begin to utilize these platforms to reach the public.

Press Releases

Issue a press release describing your adoption of Community Connect and the value it can bring to the community. Be sure to include statements from major figures in your city such as the fire chief, mayor or state senators.

First Due will work with you to arrange for a joint press release.

Additionally, you can post this press release across your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social channels.

First Due has a sample Press Release:


City of [City] rolls out platform to better engage residents to prepare for emergency situations and ultimately keep their community safe.

[City],[State] – City of [City] has been working closely with technology partner First Due to release Community Connect, an application focused on protecting residents and their property in the most effective way possible during an incident or major disaster. Community Connect is a secure, easy to use platform that allows residents to share critical information about their household in order to aid first responders and emergency service personnel to respond more efficiently and effectively; ultimately resulting in better incident outcomes.

Community Connect is completely voluntary and residents are individually able to decide which information they are comfortable sharing. Residents simply create a profile and enter critical property and occupant information which is then made available to public safety agencies at the time of dispatch. Data provided by resident's within Community Connect is 100% secure and is used only for the purpose of better serving the resident during emergency situations.

“[Chief Quote]” example: “When responding to a residence, there is often critical information that would assist in how we respond to that incident. Letting us know who the best point of contact is in case of an emergency, if yourself or family members have functional needs that we should prepare for, or even if you have pets we should look out for, can really help us serve you in the most effective way possible when it matters most”

Community Connect is now available for residents to create household profiles and begin using the service. The City of [City] intends to listen to resident feedback and improve the service overtime.

About First Due:
First Due is on a mission to end first responder and citizen injuries due to a lack of information. First Due is focused on providing solutions for fire and EMS agencies and the communities they serve, all with the goal of ensuring optimal preparedness for disaster situations.

For more information about [City’s] Community Connect please visit:
[Landing Page URL] Media Contact:
[name] [number] [email]

Community Connect Post Cards

Ensure that you have a physical means to direct your community to sign up for Community Connect. Opportunities to give post cards out to residents include:
  1. False Alarm Visits
  2. Smoke Detector Installations
  3. EMS Calls
  4. Community Days
  5. Firehouse Visits
  6. Etc.
Best practices include providing a concise overview of Community Connect and a QR code.

Examples of a Community Connect Post Card:



Other Ways

If your city already has a list for use in emergencies or public service announcements, you can run a campaign using people who are already engaged with the city over email to sign up for Community Connect.

Best practices include putting together an attractive newsletter that mirrors your regular format as well as the format and messaging from your Community Connect landing page.

Additionally, if you have a SMS list serve, you can use this method to alert your residents that Community Connect is online and ready for them to sign up.

Be sure to mirror the same type of language used in your Community Connect landing page for Community Connect social posts, highlighting:
  1. What Community Connect is and why people should be excited to sign up.
  2. How this project was endorsed by major authority figures.
  3. The fact that Community Connect is secure.
  4. The fact that Community Connect is free.
Try to control the message. Social Media commenters could be skeptical. Use the information you know about Community Connect’s value to deal with detractors or trolls.

First Due is Here to Help!

Let us know what you need. We will work with you to make it happen - we are here to help!

First Due is here to make sure that your community will be a success in signing up and engaging with Community Connect.

Arrange with your First Due Client Success Manager to set up a strategy session to get the most out of directing the perfect funnel and crafting the right resources for your city’s Community Connect.


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