by
Holly Shoemaker
As
post-tropical storm Sandy continues to affect the East Coast, and people
continue to lose power, those affected should remember that a smartphone may
make the difference in preparing and understanding the next steps when a
natural disaster strikes.
Many apps are available to download that do not
require a connection to the Internet. Apps like Disaster Readiness provide
guides on how to deal with more than 175,000 situations. The Red Cross
provides an app that includes a messaging feature to inform friends and family
of people’s safety. The Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) uses Twitter and blogs to provide guidelines and tips related to
emergencies and disaster preparedness. The Red Cross recently reported that people are more likely to
use an emergency app along with social media to obtain information during a natural
disaster.
Concluding Thoughts
While
an app may not be the first item people think of when dealing with a crisis or
disaster, they are growing in number and becoming more powerful
tools to stay aware and communicate with loved ones. Those who need to make a
quick decision, decide on evacuation or learn about next steps may find that an
app or text feature provides the best way to stay in tune, especially when
limited power options exist.
No comments:
Post a Comment