ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how social media platforms are changing how citizen-volunteers organise response activities in crises and emergencies. It examines a case study of how Facebook groups were used by citizens during the 2013 June floods in Dresden, Germany. The chapter discusses what happens when new forms of media enable not only faster and more flexible forms of communication, but also challenge the traditional government command-and-control response to disasters by providing citizens new means to coordinate emergency responses. It argues that the flexible and dynamic character of social media platforms, notably Facebook groups, which are the main object of analysis. As K. Tierney points out, disaster governance is shaped in part by how relations between the State and civil society are configured, and especially the strength of civil society institutions. As an ideal type, the command-and-control approach entails a highly rigid and formalised structure of management and governance, with a clear hierarchical chain of command.
