title: Evolution of a search: the use of dynamic twitter searches during superstorm sandy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Twitter has emerged as a critical source of free and openly available information during emergency response operations, providing an unmatched level of on-the-ground situational awareness in real-time. Responders and survivors turn to Twitter to share information and resources within communities, conduct rumor control, and provide a "boots on the ground" understanding of the disaster. However, the ability to tune out background "noise" is essential to effectively utilizing Twitter to identify important and useful information during an emergency response.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article highlights a two-prong strategy in which the use of a Twitter list paired with subject specific Boolean searches provided increased situational awareness and early event detection during the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) response to Superstorm Sandy in 2012. To maximize the amount of relevant information that was retrieved, the Twitter list and Boolean searches were dynamic and responsive to real-time developments, evolving health threats, and the informational needs of decision-makers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of a Twitter list combined with Boolean searches led to enhanced situational awareness throughout the HHS response. The incorporation of a dynamic search strategy over the course of the HHS Sandy response, allowed for the ability to account for over-tweeted information, changes in event related conversation, and decreases in the return of relevant information.
authors: GAP Solutions Inc., Contractor Supporting Office of Emergency Management, Division of Fusion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, USA.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Harris Smith
authors: Office of Emergency Management, Division of Fusion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, USA.
authors: Kelly J
authors: KJ
authors: Bennett
authors: National Institutes of Health, Office of Management, Office of Research Services, Division of Library Services, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors: Alicia A
authors: AA
authors: Livinski
references: PLoS Curr. 2013 Dec 16;5:null
references: 24459610