The tensions of crowdsourcing disaster response in disaster‐specific Facebook groups after the Camp Fire

Abstract

Disaster‐specific Facebook groups (DSFGs) are Facebook groups devoted to a specific disaster or set of disasters. I argue DSFGs offer opportunities for disaster response and resilience organizing that can mitigate the limitations of institutionalized disaster response and illustrate the benefits and detriments of the use of DSFGs by survivors after California's 2018 Camp Fire. This study explores the helpfulness and unhelpfulness or hurtfulness of Camp Fire Facebook groups (CFFGs) for survivors' recoveries. I surveyed 232 Camp Fire survivors who used CFFGs. Sharing recovery processes and spreading information in CFFGs were both helpful and unhelpful to survivors' recoveries. CFFGs were also helpful for exchanging direct assistance, sustaining community, developing new relationships, lifting spirits, and championing survivors and unhelpful or hurtful due to scamming, facing negativity, and encountering the victim mentality. I contend that tensions exist for crowdsourcing disaster response in DSFGs, whereby what makes a DSFG helpful can also be unhelpful or hurtful, and I call for coordination between DSFGs and institutional disaster response to improve disaster response networks.

Governing the uses of social media and crowdsourcing in crisis and disaster (risk) management

“…The final point by Benedict (2024) is indeed one which resonates for all of the papers in this special issue. The adequate use of SMCS in crisis and disaster (risk) management requires investments by authorities and crisis and disaster management organizations into flexible communication strategies and procedures, into training and institutional learning, into innovative tools and solutions, and into inclusive practices for engaging and involving the population.…”

“…On the other side of the volunteer spectrum, The (Un)Helpfulness of Crowdsourcing Disaster Response and Resilience Organising in Disaster-Specific Facebook Groups (DSFGs) after the Camp Fire, examines paradoxes among the efforts of groups on Facebook setup to assist in the response and recovery of specific events (Benedict, 2024). These online community spaces can be used to exchange information, coordinate volunteer initiatives and resources, and provide emotional support.…”