Prepare, Respond and Recover...yep, there's an App for that....but...
I strolled through the paths of the web wilderness to cull some of my favorite lists of prepare, respond and recover apps for crisis and disaster management….but..you say…but what about...?
But
What About …No Cell Service?
“Anyone that’s been through a natural disaster realizes cell service is often times one of the 1st things
to go! Sometimes having good cell service is tough enough, so why would you
bother downloading apps to your phone if a disaster is going to wipe them
out?
Well, a lot of these apps once downloaded do not need to be
connected to the internet or have cell service to run them. Many are
informational apps and will still be able to show you how to do CPR, act as a
flashlight, or pull-up important documents as long as they have battery power.”
Of course,
you can’t count on cellular, Wi-Fi service or power to charge your batteries
during a disaster, but even a partially charged phone may be able to show you
how to do CPR, act as a flashlight or give you access to your insurance
documents.
Get Your Go-Bag Ready-
If you
don't have a go-bag, make one now. Be sure to buy a handful of cheap,
disposable backup batteries for mobile devices and throw them in your bag.
Check out Ready.gov for what else an emergency kit should contain. Keep it
packed and ready.
Here are some apps to help you
before, during and after the next disaster.
(more after the jump)
StopDisaster
iPhone® $1.99
Knowing
what to do in a disaster and knowing how to prepare for one are priceless.
Well, $1.99. That's what you'll pay for StopDisaster, an iPhone app that helps
walk you through preparedness checklists for hurricanes, earthquakes, blizzards
and other natural disasters. It'll help you build an emergency kit, get your
documents in order and store your emergency phone numbers, ready to dial.
For Android®
users, a similar app called Disaster
Readiness Guide costs $1.29.
Dropbox
Android and
iPhone, Free (limited version)
You may
intend to grab your laptop when the earth shakes, but what if you can't? If you
have copies of your important files stored in a Dropbox account, you should be
able to access them even if your computer doesn't make it out.
Essentially,
Dropbox is cloud storage. Install the program on your PC or Mac, upload files
to your folder and they should be instantly available on all your other
computers. And with the app, your files should be found on your mobile devices
as well. Don't have network access? Don't worry. If you categorized your
important files with a star, you should still be able to get them on your
smartphone.
Flashlight by Rik for iPhone
Brightest Flashlight Free for
Android
Free
These apps,
which turn your phone into a flashlight, are getting more powerful as
smartphone cameras add LED flashbulbs. If the power goes out, a flashlight app
can be invaluable. No more rummaging around for a flashlight — and batteries —
in those first confusing moments. Keep in mind, however, that your phone's
battery should be fully charged when you use flashlight apps, and these apps
also can result in high battery drain.
Program "In
Case of Emergency" (Label them “ICE”) contacts into your cell phone so
emergency personnel can contact those people for you if you are unable to use
your phone. Let your ICE contacts know that they are programmed into your phone
and inform them of any medical issues or other special needs you may have. The
app provides first-responders and emergency room personnel with your up-to-date
address and photo identification, medical information, blood type, insurance
info, and emergency contacts.
Hurricane Tracker
iPhone $1.99
When a
hurricane is approaching, you don't want a storm-tracker map from three hours
ago; you need the latest official maps, data and projections. This
hurricane-tracking app is for serious weather junkies and people who want the
most accurate information as they make decisions.
For
Android, try the free Hurricane Software
app.
Life360
Android and
iPhone, Free
Everyone
can agree on the top priority in a disaster: finding your family. These days,
most of your family members probably carry a personal tracking device in the
form of their smartphone. Life360 should show you where they are — right now —
on a map. The family GPS tracking system should help you find your loved ones,
get safety alerts to them or call for help with the tap of a button. It also
provides neighborhood safety monitoring.
Facebook for iPhone Free
Facebook for Android Free
Twitter for iPhone Free
Twitter for Android Free
In a
crisis, social media can turn from gossip lines to possible lifelines. Whether
your friends and family are safe or in danger, they could be posting about it
on Facebook and Twitter. Plus, you'll know about some local businesses that are
open after a storm or other natural disaster.
Public
agencies, also post updates on Twitter. Consider following the National
Hurricane Center, FEMA and your local transit agency and police department.
5-0 Radio Police Scanner Lite- iPhone,
Free
Scanner Radio app - Android - Free
During a
disaster, everyone hears rumors. What's really going on? The answer might be
found on police band radio, which you can pick up using this free app. This
isn't talk radio; it's an unfiltered feed of cops, firefighters and other
public-safety officers. It shouldn’t be your only news source, but it could be
worth listening in.
MotionX GPS Drive
iPhone, 99
cents
If you have
an iPhone, MotionX GPS Drive is the cheapest and most popular way to guide you
out of town on an unfamiliar route. The software even should work without a
cellular signal if you plan ahead and download and cache maps.
For help with
your local traffic and commutes, Android and iPhone users might consider the Waze app, too. This app provides free
navigation and connects you to your local driving community alerting you of
existing travel hazards and traffic conditions.
GasBuddy
Android and
iPhone, Free
Gas prices
may be high, but they're not likely to vary by a dollar or more among stations.
That could change during a crisis. GasBuddy uses your GPS to display
up-to-the-minute gas prices near you.
Hands-Only CPR
Android and
iPhone, Free
To treat an
adult suffering from cardiac arrest, the American Heart Association recommends
hands-only CPR. No more mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. But you still have to do
it right. The official Hands-Only CPR app walks you through the two-step
checklist: Call 911, then start chest compressions. A brief video shows you
what to do.
For $1.99,
the American Heart Association's Pocket First Aid & CPR includes the same
CPR information along with first aid advice for all sorts of situations.
American Red Cross: Shelter View
iPhone, Free
When a
hurricane or earthquake drives people from their homes, the American Red Cross
steps in to provide shelter. That's great as long as you know how to find the
shelter. American Red Cross: Shelter View directs you to the sites.
Currently,
this app is not available for Android, but you can still go online to search
for a Red Cross shelter.
Red
Panic Button
($3; iOS, Android). If you find yourself in danger — whether
stranded, injured or attacked — your smartphone could be a lifeline. Red Panic
Button is your one-touch emergency beacon. Just tap
the Red Panic Button, and an alert will be sent to your list of preset
emergency contacts via email, text message and Twitter if you choose. Included
in the alerts are your exact GPS coordinates and a Google Maps link.
Disaster
Readiness
($2, iOS;
$1.50, Android). In the event of a large-scale disaster,
telecommunications infrastructure could be severely damaged. There's no telling
whether you'll be able to access the Internet.
That's why
Disaster Readiness could be crucial to your survival. This downloadable
emergency preparedness guide can be accessed offline. It contains more than
175,000 reference guides on how to respond to any disaster including wildfires,
flash floods and terrorist attacks.
iTriage
(Free; iOS, Android). Illness and injury can strike just as fast and
unexpectedly as any natural disaster. If you can't quickly determine the
severity of your condition or where you can get medical treatment, your odds of
survival could decrease.
That's why
two emergency room doctors developed iTriage. You can search medical symptoms
and learn about potential causes. It will also tell you the nearest medical
facilities and provide turn-by-turn directions and ER wait times.
iTriage includes emergency hotlines for
instant advice from nurses and doctors. There's even a feature to save
important personal information such as allergies, medical history and current
medications.
GotoAID
($5; iOS). For many people, the first response to an emergency
is panic. In a chaotic situation, it's easy to lose focus. But focus is
imperative in the first moments of a crisis.
GotoAID is
a simple, clean app to guide you through medical emergencies and disasters in
the crucial early stages. You'll find first-aid procedures and videos for
humans and pets. There are also guides for disaster readiness and tools and
checklists to help prepare you for the worst.This app
also stores emergency numbers and helps locate relief centers. GotoAID also has
a Morse Code generator and an Emergency Pulse beacon.
source: ( http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/kimkomando/story/2012-08-02/emergency-apps/56704828/1 )
USA Army survival guide
FEMA
Engage
by E-View: “Receive
30-second ASL videos with news & events for the Deaf along with emergency
alerts that vibrate and flash on your Smart Phone!” http://www.engagebyeview.com/
"You never know
when you might come across an emergency situation and need help. Having apps
that can help you reach out for assistance in any diversity always come in
handy. There is an app called SOS Stay
Safe
that my family uses in case any of us is stuck in any unwanted scenario. SOS Stay Safe “Is a powerful personal safety application
that empowers you against acts of violence, and helps summon aid in an
emergency. It lets you send out SOS alerts to friends and family quickly, as
soon as you sense danger. The alert is triggered by shaking the device using a
customizable shake limit. SOS – Stay Safe! is useful in a wide range of
dangerous scenarios ranging from sexual harassment to heart failure.”
Don't forget to download an App from your major insurance providers
Some others:
Urban
Survival skills everyone needs to know:
Other apps
for Apple products :
“In case of
Crisis”
(Versions include
In case of crisis: corp, govt, hotel , education. )
Other apps
for Android products :
Comments