Death And Social Networking: Show Respect And Restraint

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In these days of texts, Twitter, Facebook, mass texts, forums (which this site has a strict longstanding policy on), we must remember the impact a single message can have.

When a person passes away, particulary in emergency services, and in an unexpected and tragic way, HOLD OFF spreading the news. Let the family be notified in a proper manner first. Let members of the department know first. Who knows, they could be on Facebook at that time-is that really how we want loved ones of the deceased finding out? Let that department officially announce it before you start sending the information. Many times departments are in contact with the family to see how they want the information presented and how/when.

And when it does become "official", don't put out the circumstances unless you're an officer from that department or it has officially been made public.

Let it go through the official channels- there's a reason for that- and when it has then post your sympathies.

See the following link for EMTBravo.net's Policy for Posting Deaths:

http://www.emtbravo.net/index.php?showtopic=9889

Sorry to bring up such a morbid issue, but I felt it needed to be said.