Department of Homeland Security launches a YouTube channel

What do you know about the Department of Homeland Security? That it controls the color-coded threat levels at the airport? Maybe you’ve seen a big bus with the agency’s name on the side like I did while it was driving north on I-5 the other day. No matter what you already know about the work it does, we now have access to more information: The DHS is getting on the social media wagon, with the launch of a YouTube channel and a revamp of its website.

“Social media plays an increasingly large role in our engagement with the public, especially in the event of an incident or disaster,” said DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. “These new tools will facilitate an open dialogue about the department’s security efforts across the nation and around the world.”

When I checked out the YouTube channel, a video about families making an emergency plan immediately started playing. In the list of other videos on the channel, I saw an assortment of videos about the department: I watched a couple on its role in protecting our infrastructure, and a travel security video for incoming foreign visitors and the procedures they can expect at customs (shown above). You can also watch speeches and events, including the time Michelle Obama visited Homeland Security in April.

You can even find the Department of Homeland Security on Twitter (@dhsjournal).

– Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times Travel & Deal blogger

[Video: YouTube]

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This entry was posted on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 11:52 am by Jen Leo and is filed under News, Tips & Advice, Travel Video. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.