Recognizing that mobile apps developed for sharing and locating information could greatly enhance real-time coordination and situational awareness in public safety and homeland security, members of First Responder Communities of Practice are sharing their ideas for new mobile apps. Members are currently discussing technical requirements for potential mobile apps that responders can use to access knowledge from the field, enhance situational awareness, and alert citizens to critical information as it develops. They’re also discussing existing apps that they’ve found helpful in the field and their potential applications in public safety.
For example, one member shared details about an app created by the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District in California. The app directs those who can provide aid to nearby heart attack victims by leveraging the geo-location capability of smart phones to alert trained citizens or nearby professional responders to emergencies of which they might otherwise be unaware. Members of First Responder Communities of Practice solicited ideas from their colleagues about ways to spread this innovative mobile technology to other jurisdictions across the country. Another app discussed recently is the Swiftwater Calculator, which was created by the Texas Engineering Extension Service’s (TEEX) Urban Search and Rescue Division to help responders locate victims of swift water incidents. The app directs responders to collect basic measurements, and then calculates how far a victim could have been carried downstream since falling into the water.
Members of First Responder Communities of Practice also are sharing ideas and requirements for apps they would like to see created. Because site users represent multiple disciplines, multiple jurisdictions, and multiple sectors, members have been sharing suggestions and ideas from a variety of perspectives.
Some of the ideas members have contributed:
An app that solves communication barriers in the field. Features would include auto-translation and text-to-voice features. The video capability of smart phones could be used to develop a visual translation capability to interpret American Sign Language (ASL).
An app for damage assessment. Site members envision this app allowing responders in the field to input real-time damage assessment information, which could then be represented visually on an interactive map similar to Google Maps or the DHS Virtual USA project. The app could take advantage of several smart phone capabilities, such as photo, video, geo-location tagging, and access to other Internet databases, to help responders better understand the full scope of a disaster. This app would be useful not only for responders, but also for organizations assisting with recovery efforts, such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and public works departments.
An app that is tied to the existing National Fire Incident Reporting System, which would provide a newer and easier method of timely incident reporting.
An app that would serve as a comprehensive information-sharing and communications tool for citizens in a county-level jurisdiction. A site member shared the proposed design he developed for Fairfax County, Virginia, as an alert system for citizens. The app would include news feeds, emergency contact information, preparedness resources, real-time recovery information, audio/visual capabilities, and interactive maps showing the locations of emergency resources.
What kind of mobile application for first responders do you want to see created?
Tags: technology, public safety, first responders, mobile apps
