Apps to Help in a Disaster

Apps to Help in a Disaster

Disasters almost always arrive unexpectedly. But there are computer apps to help people prepare for disasters. Some apps alert users when a disaster has taken place. Other disaster apps can be used when people need rescue or other help.

Apps to Alert Others When You Need Help

SirenGPS Mobile

The free SirenGPS Mobile app connects users to emergency services at the tap of the screen. The app will let emergency workers know where the person in need is.

The app works over cell networks. But it also works on Wi-Fi if cell networks are down after an emergency.

Users can create a personal health report on the app to share with emergency services. This will provide information about medicines users take, allergies¹ they might have and other medical information important to treatment decisions.

Guardly

Guardly is an app that can help keep people safer in places such as businesses and universities. This app permits workers and students to report about unsafe conditions, suspicious activity and more.

Reports can be made to an organization’s own security division as well as to government emergency services.

The reporter’s location can be sent with the report so security or emergency services help can arrive more quickly. The app works worldwide and Guardly can even find people within buildings, if the buildings are equipped with the right technology.

Organizations can also use Guardly to notify users of danger or ask if they need assistance and more.

Life360

The Life360 app provides a service to keep loved ones connected. Users can set up a network of people to share their location, chat, and get alerts when they are near someone in their network. People in the same network can use the app on iPhone and Android devices.

The app helps users communicate when they are in a disaster. The location share function can be suspended when desired.

The Life360 app is free, with some services available for a fee.

Red Panic Button

When a person is in a dangerous situation, the Red Panic Button app might help. This app can send a text message and/or email to chosen contacts providing the user’s location. You can also add a voice or video message and/or photo to your text and email.

This app can also be used to contact emergency services.

Red Panic Button is free, but extra features are available for a fee.

Apps to Alert You of Disasters

Disaster Alert

The Disaster Alert app is from the Pacific Disaster Center. It lets users know of disasters around the world when they happen. Alerts will be sent about volcano eruptions², earthquakes, floods and more. Disaster areas around the world are shown on a map, and reported in a list view.

The app is free with paid features available.

First Aid by American Red Cross

The free First Aid app by the American Red Cross helps guide users in giving aid to injured people. The app can also help prepare for disaster with information to help plan for drought, flood, storms and more.

Watch videos and take quizzes within the app. Users can switch the app from English to Spanish.

Global Emergency Overview³ App

The Global Emergency Overview App gives weekly information about natural disasters and humanitarian⁴ crises around the world. Search by map or a list of countries.

The developer says the app is designed to answer questions about humanitarian disasters. The information includes the location and nature of current humanitarian crises and help in judging need levels among crises.

Humanitarian Kiosk

The United Nations has a similar app at no cost. The Humanitarian Kiosk app gives information about humanitarian crises around the world. Users can choose geographic⁵ areas and follow current information from those areas.

Real Time Warning/Earthquakes

Get information about disasters around the world with the Real Time Warning app, also known as Earthquakes. See a list of disasters or look at the map. The app shows users the severity of the disaster and lets users involved in a disaster share their experiences.

Earthquake Alert!

The free Earthquake Alert! app notifies you of earthquakes above 1.0 in the U.S. and 4.5 in the rest of the world. See the earthquakes on a map or a list. Tap an earthquake to find out more about it, including news reports on the event.

Words in This Story

emergency - n. an unexpected and usually dangerous situation that calls for immediate⁶ action

function - n. the special purpose or activity for which a thing exists or is used

drought - n. a long period of time during which there is very little or no rain

humanitarian - adj. related to helping people's lives

1 allergies   

n.[医]过敏症；[口]厌恶，反感；（对食物、花粉、虫咬等的）过敏症( allergy的名词复数 )；变态反应，变应性

参考例句：

• Food allergies can result in an enormous variety of different symptoms. 食物过敏会引发很多不同的症状。 来自辞典例句
• Let us, however, examine one of the most common allergies; hayfever. 现在让我们来看看最常见的变态反应的一种--枯草热。 来自辞典例句

2 eruptions   

n.喷发，爆发( eruption的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There have been several volcanic eruptions this year. 今年火山爆发了好几次。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Over 200 people have been killed by volcanic eruptions. 火山喷发已导致200多人丧生。 来自辞典例句

3 overview   

n.概观，概述

参考例句：

• The opening chapter gives a brief historical overview of transport.第一章是运输史的简要回顾。
• The seminar aims to provide an overview on new media publishing.研讨会旨在综览新兴的媒体出版。

4 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

5 geographic   

adj.地理学的，地理的

参考例句：

• The city's success owes much to its geographic position. 这座城市的成功很大程度上归功于它的地理位置。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Environmental problems pay no heed to these geographic lines. 环境问题并不理会这些地理界限。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

6 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。