[californiadisasters] FW: Mobile App Encourages Preparedness in Arlington

Thought you’d be interested in this article (see below). 

 

I haven’t checked my “Android Market” link on my Droid lately, but I know there are many apps available previously via Android that cover topics ranging from:

·         First Aid & CPR

·         Emergency Preparedness (public and private sector literature)

·         Hazardous Substance Response Info

·         Fire Prevention

·         FEMA Disaster Info

·         Earthquakes

·         Severe Weather

 

I’d like to start a discussion on Emergency Management Apps (might be better suited for Steve Davis’ All-Hands.net).  Any particularly good apps (for free or nominal cost (less than $5)) out there?  Would anyone care to brag about apps they developed?  Blackberry Apps?

 

IMHO: I think these would be potentially very useful when there is a loss of power during an emergency (and cell phone service remains relatively unaffected by the power outage).   The ONLY CONCERN I can see (when cell phone service is still available) would be the NETWORK DEMAND.  If too great, cell phone service would be intermittent, at best  (as it was during the August 23^rd earthquake in DC area).   Also, data downloads would be slow-w-w!   Am I wrong here?

 

 

Mobile App Encourages Preparedness in Arlington
http://www.arlnow.com/2011/11/22/mobile-app-encourages-preparedness-in-arlington/

 

by ARLnow.com | 760 views | November 22, 2011 at 3:50 pm | 19 Comments

Posted in: News

 

Arlington County’s Office of Emergency Management has released a new mobile app called “Arlington Prepares,” for Android and iPhone users.

 

The free app, which can be downloaded from the Android Marketplace and the Apple App Store, gives residents tips on what to do in the event of specific emergencies, provides a feed of Arlington’s emergency alerts, offers a checklist of emergency supplies and lists information about several emergency-related volunteer opportunities in Arlington.

 

Among the 10 emergencies covered in the “What Do I Do?” section are tornadoes (“if you are inside, seek a place of refuge such as a basement”), earthquakes (“many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris”), and chemical attacks (“immediately strip and wash… look for a hose, fountain or any source of water”).

 

The app was developed “in-house” by the Arlington Office of Emergency Management and Department of Technology Services. There’s currently no plan to launch an app for Blackberry devices.

 

Mark Lewack

Emergency Actions Coordinator

U.S. Office of Personnel Management

1900 E Street NW, Suite 1300

Washington, DC 20415

(202) 606-5415 (Office)

(301) 807-8943 (Cell #2)

Mark.Lewack@opm.gov

 

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