Apps aimed at turning your cell or tablet into a crisis management tool
The average cell phone is no longer a one-trick pony, with even basic models delivering quality graphics and plenty of internet speed, and larger mobile devices really up the ante. Add to that the fact that no matter where you are, or what you’re doing, there’s a good chance an i-Something will be within arm’s reach, and you can understand why developers see cell phones and mobile devices as the perfect platform for crisis management apps.
TechSoup recently shared a list of some of the best disaster preparedness apps, including these FREE selections from a quartet of nonprofit orgs:
- Developed by the Pacific Disaster Center, Disaster Alert (Android, iOS) shows global hazard information via a map that updates in real-time.
- Mobile technologies can help people find shelter information in time of need. The Red Cross hurricane app uses GPS to find the nearest shelters. You can also text SHELTER and your zip code to 43352 (4FEMA) to find a local shelter.
- Can an app save lives? Yes! Pocket First Aid & CPR (Android, iOS) is a mobile app by the American Heart Association. The app includes up-to-date emergency information, a first aid kit checklist and detailed first aid procedures. Read about how Pocket First Aid & CPR helped save a life in the Haiti Earthquake of 2010.
- Your Plan (iOS) by the Insurance Information Institute has preloaded checklists so you can prepare your organization before disaster strikes.
You can check out the TechSoup article for more, or try taking a search through your app store of choice. You’ll find many options, from free to paid, and personal to enterprise use, to help out in a wide variety of crisis management scenarios.
Got a favorite app, or seen a particularly good one in use? We’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment here on the blog, or tweet us at @bernsteincrisis and @nomorecrisis, we’re listening!
The BCM Blogging Team
https://www.bernsteincrisismanagement.com/