Apps for Emergency Preparedness and Response

By John Fisher (assisted by AI)

Introduction

Emergency preparedness and response applications are crucial digital tools designed to assist individuals, communities, and organizations before, during, and after emergencies. By enhancing situational awareness, streamlining communication, and providing access to critical information, these apps help a diverse group of users - from everyday citizens to first responders and healthcare professionals - manage crises more effectively. As technology continues to evolve, the integration of mobile apps into emergency management strategies has become a critical component of resilience and recovery efforts (Rodríguez, Donner, & Trainor, 2018).

Applications for Different Users

General Public: Individuals and families seeking to stay informed and prepared can use apps like the FEMA App, which provides weather alerts, safety tips, and emergency kit tools (FEMA, n.d.). Similarly, the American Red Cross appsoffer real-time alerts and preparedness information for specific emergencies, while the Ready.gov App helps users create emergency plans and build kits (American Red Cross, n.d.; Ready.gov, n.d.). The Disaster Alert app enhances global hazard monitoring, giving everyday users immediate access to threat information (Pacific Disaster Center, n.d.).

First Responders: Firefighters, police officers, and paramedics depend on specialized applications such as the NIMS ICS Guide to support Incident Command operations (Informed Publishing, n.d.). iAlertz provides real-time notifications for users in New York, and ERG2020 delivers critical hazardous material information for responders in transit (U.S. Department of Transportation, 2020).

Emergency Managers: Professionals at all levels of government utilize applications like the NIMS ICS Guide for operational structure and coordination. Tools such as Disaster Alert also help emergency managers monitor threats globally and disseminate alerts efficiently (Pacific Disaster Center, n.d.).

Healthcare Professionals: For doctors, nurses, and hospital staff, the Pocket First Aid & CPR app provides essential medical guidelines, while HealthMap: Outbreaks Near Me tracks local disease outbreaks, allowing quick preventative action (American Heart Association, n.d.; HealthMap, n.d.). The PFA Mobile app supports field interventions with Psychological First Aid tools, helping healthcare providers address trauma effectively (National Center for PTSD, n.d.).

Volunteers: Volunteer groups use tools like the American Red Cross apps to coordinate tasks and receive real-time updates during emergencies. Apps like PFA Mobile offer mental health support resources crucial for volunteers working in high-stress environments (National Center for PTSD, n.d.).

Organizations and Businesses: Companies focused on business continuity benefit from apps like the FEMA App and Ready.gov App to develop emergency plans and communicate with employees. Asset tracking and operational continuity are facilitated through emergency management-focused applications such as iAlertz.

Conclusion

Emergency preparedness and response applications have become indispensable tools for a wide range of users, from individual citizens to professional responders and healthcare providers. These apps ensure that critical information, resources, and communication channels are readily available, significantly improving preparedness and response efforts. As emergencies become more complex and technology advances, the role of mobile applications in saving lives and protecting communities will only continue to grow. Investing in the continued development and promotion of these tools is a key strategy for building resilient communities (Bumgarner, 2008; Van de Walle, Turoff, & Hiltz, 2010).

Keywords: emergency preparedness, mobile applications, disaster response, emergency management, situational awareness

Hashtags: #EmergencyPreparedness #DisasterResponse #MobileApps #CrisisManagement #ResilientCommunities

References

American Heart Association. (n.d.). Pocket First Aid & CPR. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org

American Red Cross. (n.d.). Mobile Apps. Retrieved from https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/mobile-apps.html

Bumgarner, J. B. (2008). Emergency Management: A Reference Handbook. ABC-CLIO.

FEMA. (n.d.). FEMA App. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/mobile-app

HealthMap. (n.d.). Outbreaks Near Me. Retrieved from https://healthmap.org/outbreaksnearme

Informed Publishing. (n.d.). NIMS ICS Guide. Retrieved from https://informedguides.com/nims-ics-guide

National Center for PTSD. (n.d.). PFA Mobile. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/appvid/mobile/pfa_app.asp

NIOSH. (n.d.). NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/

Pacific Disaster Center. (n.d.). Disaster Alert. Retrieved from https://www.pdc.org/disaster-alert-app/

Ready.gov. (n.d.). Make a Plan. Retrieved from https://www.ready.gov/plan

Rodríguez, H., Donner, W., & Trainor, J. E. (Eds.). (2018). Handbook of Disaster Research. Springer.

SAMHSA. (n.d.). Behavioral Health Disaster Response App. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/dtac/dbhis-collections/behavioral-health-disaster-response-app

U.S. Department of Transportation. (2020). ERG2020 - Emergency Response Guidebook. Retrieved from https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/erg/emergency-response-guidebook-erg

Van de Walle, B. A., Turoff, M., & Hiltz, S. R. (Eds.). (2010). Information Systems for Emergency Management. M.E. Sharpe.

Emergency apps

Emergency preparedness and response applications are digital tools designed to assist individuals, communities, and organizations in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from various types of emergencies. These applications aim to enhance situational awareness, improve communication, provide access to critical information, and streamline response efforts.   

Target Users

These applications are designed for a wide range of users, including:

• General Public: Individuals and families can use these apps to receive alerts, access preparedness guides, create emergency plans, locate shelters, and communicate with loved ones during a crisis.  
• First Responders: Firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and other emergency personnel rely on these apps for real-time information, dispatch instructions, mapping, communication, and coordination during emergency operations.  
• Emergency Managers: Professionals at local, state, and federal levels use these applications for planning, coordinating resources, disseminating information, and managing response and recovery efforts.
• Healthcare Professionals: Doctors, nurses, and hospital staff utilize these tools for patient tracking, resource management, communication, and accessing medical guidelines during emergencies and disasters.
• Volunteers: Individuals and groups volunteering in emergency situations can use these apps for coordination, task management, and receiving important updates and instructions.
• Organizations and Businesses: Companies and institutions use these applications for business continuity planning, employee communication, asset tracking, and managing emergency procedures.

Examples and Names of Apps

Here are some examples of emergency preparedness and response applications, categorized by their primary function:

For General Preparedness and Information:

• FEMA App (Federal Emergency Management Agency): Provides weather alerts, safety tips, information on how to apply for assistance, and a tool to build an emergency kit (FEMA, n.d.). Available on Android, iOS, and Blackberry.  
• American Red Cross Apps (various): A suite of apps covering specific emergencies like First Aid, Pet First Aid, Hurricane, Tornado, Earthquake, and Wildfire. These offer preparedness information, real-time alerts, and safety tips (American Red Cross, n.d.). Available on Android and iOS.  
• Ready.gov App: Offers information on various disasters, how to make a plan, build a kit, and stay informed (Ready.gov, n.d.).  
• Disaster Alert (Pacific Disaster Center): Provides global hazard monitoring and alerts for various types of disasters (Pacific Disaster Center, n.d.). Available on Android and iOS.  

For First Responders and Emergency Management:

• NIMS ICS Guide (Informed Publishing): A guide for responders working in Emergency Operation and Incident Command Centers, providing information on the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) (Informed Publishing, n.d.). Available on Android and iOS.
• iAlertz: For iOS users in New York, providing notifications about current alerts and nearby emergency services. It also allows authorized notifiers to create and distribute alerts (iAlertz, n.d.). Available on iOS.  
• ERG2020 (U.S. Department of Transportation): A mobile version of the Emergency Response Guidebook, providing information about hazardous materials for first responders (U.S. Department of Transportation, 2020).  
• NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health): Allows responders to access a database of workplace chemicals and their hazards (NIOSH, n.d.).  

For Health and Medical Support:

• Pocket First Aid & CPR (American Heart Association): Provides step-by-step information on CPR and basic first aid. It also allows users to store medical information and emergency contacts (American Heart Association, n.d.). Available on Android and iOS.  
• HealthMap: Outbreaks Near Me: Provides information about disease and health outbreaks in local areas and can send alerts when an outbreak occurs (HealthMap, n.d.). Available on Android and iOS.  
• PFA Mobile (National Center for PTSD, National Child Traumatic Stress Network, DoD's National Center for Telehealth and Technology): Offers interventions, tips, and resources for those using Psychological First Aid in the field (National Center for PTSD, n.d.). Available on Android and iOS.  
• SAMHSA Behavioral Health Disaster Response App (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration): Provides behavioral health responders with resources for pre-deployment preparation, on-the-ground assistance, and post-deployment support (SAMHSA, n.d.). Available on Android and iOS.  

Academic References

While specific academic papers focusing solely on applications for emergency preparedness and response might be limited, the broader field of emergency management and the use of technology within it is well-documented. Here are some general academic resources and how they relate to the topic:

• Bumgarner, J. B. (2008). Emergency Management: A Reference Handbook. ABC-CLIO. This handbook provides a broad overview of emergency management principles, practices, and the role of technology in enhancing preparedness and response. While it may not focus solely on apps, it establishes the context for their importance.
• Rodríguez, H., Donner, W., & Trainor, J. E. (Eds.). (2018). Handbook of Disaster Research. Springer. This comprehensive handbook covers various aspects of disaster research, including the use of information and communication technologies in disaster contexts. Chapters within this book may discuss the impact and potential of mobile applications in different phases of emergency management.  
• Van de Walle, B. A., Turoff, M., & Hiltz, S. R. (Eds.). (2010). Information Systems for Emergency Management. M.E. Sharpe. This book explores the role of information systems in emergency management, which includes the development and use of applications for various purposes, such as communication, coordination, and information dissemination.

Website Addresses for Potential Academic Resources:

• PubMed Central (PMC): (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/) - A free archive of biomedical and life sciences literature, where research on technology in disaster response and public health emergencies can be found.
• Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/disaster−medicine−and−public−health−preparedness) - A journal publishing research and practical guidance on disaster medicine and public health preparedness.
• International Journal of Information Management: (https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.journals.elsevier.com/international−journal−of−information−management) - This journal occasionally features articles on the use of information technology in crisis management and emergency response.
• Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management: (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14685973) - This journal publishes research on various aspects of crisis management, including the role of technology.

Google. (2025). Gemini (2.0 Flash) [Large language model]. https://gemini.google.com/ (Accessed April 24, 2025).