Dial into emergency preparedness

Ada City-County Emergency Management
It may have started years ago as just a cell phone, but it becomes increasingly closer to a personal pocket computer with each new model. The added abilities of smart phones give the user access to more tools to be prepared for emergencies.
Here are some smartphone apps that can warn, remind, assist or list emergency related materials.

Idaho State Alert and Warning System (ISAWS)
Developed by the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security, ISAWS is an emergency or significant event notification system available to all Idahoans, including those with special needs or limited English proficiency. Alerts can be sent to a cell phone, pager, PDA, e-mail, home phone or other specialty communication device (in most cases).

Messages can be voice, text, or both, and include notification of impending severe weather situations, missing children alerts (in most cases), natural and/or man-made disasters, civil emergencies and events of statewide/national significance.
Enrollment is simple and voluntary. It can be done online by going to: http://www.isaws.org/

Weather apps
Weather information is important wherever you go. There are a number of different phone apps that will allow the user to receive weather forecasts based on city or zip code.

The Weather Channel has a free app that will provide this service to many types of devices. It is available at: weather.com/services/mobilesplash Another weather app that has versions for multiple types of smartphones is: www.weatherbug.com

AccuWeather also has a good site for tracking weather. It is available for the IPhone and Android platforms. Search your applications store for the appropriate version.

Both weather apps include alerts for sever weather, such as high winds, rain and potential floods.

This app will automatically update weather information based on current location. There are both free and pay versions of this app.

‘Find It’ apps
Finding the location of the nearest medical facility or pharmacy has been made easy whether you are at home or traveling. Available for either iPhone or Android is the app: http://www.aroundmeapp.com/

Another app with similar features for multiple types of phones is: http://www.yelp.com/yelpmobile These apps are free and provide information about all types of businesses, not just medical. They can assist users on a daily basis with common errands or restaurant choices along with being that quick way to find a gas station during an evacuation.

First Aid and CPR
Trying to recall all the proper steps from a first aid/CPR course taken over a year ago can be difficult. Fortunately, there is an app for this also. For the Android market, the American Red Cross has partnered with others to produce a free first aid/CPR app that can be downloaded at: S.O.S. Emergency Support

The American Heart Association has also put together a detailed app for $1.99 called Pocket First Aid and CPR. It is available from Jive Media for either the iPhone or Android at: http://jive.me/apps/firstaid/

Preparedness apps
Using apps during an incident may or may not be possible. Phone and Internet services may go down; in such cases only those apps that can function offline will be available. The first line of preparedness should always be a practiced family emergency plan with 72-hour kits created in advance. Here are apps to help with that:

  • The FEMA App contains several checklists/links, works on multiple phones and is free at: FEMA app
  • The Disaster Readiness Guide is available for $1.29 for Androids at: Disaster Readiness Guide The iPhone version is available for $1.99 at: iTunes/Disaster Readiness

… Just a few of the apps available. Take advantage of them and take action to be better prepared.

Published 6-8-2012