Ushahidi
Ushahidi collects crisis information sent from citizen’s cell phones, e-mails, or other web-based technologies, aggregates it, and maps it. Although created at the beginning of the year to chart political unrest in Kenya, developers plan to make the Ushahidi technology open source and customizable for any organization needing to track crises.
SPIN Registry
The Center for Disaster Risk Policy at Florida State University recently developed what will be a nationwide registry of people with special needs. The Special Population Information Registry, which is expected to launch January 31, will allow officials to track emergency information, housing plans, transportation needs, health conditions, and prescription and medical equipment needs. During a disaster, the registry can be queried to provide reports such as who needs transportation assistance, electricity, or medication.
"Ready or Not? Protecting the Public's Health from Disease, Disasters, and Bioterrorism"
The sixth annual report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Trust for America’s Health, which scores state health preparedness based on 10 factors, found more than half of U.S. states have improved in their ability to provide services in a public health emergency. Report authors, however, warn that funding cuts at the state and federal level could threaten that progress.
Ethnic Media as Emergency Responders
As part of its focus on the use of ethnic media during emergencies, DiversityPreparedness.org has compiled a wealth of resources, articles, and reports on disaster communications in ethnic communities—including this New America Media interview detailing the lack of ethnic communications during Hurricane Ike and the recent Southern California wildfires.
USFA Coffee Break Trainings 2.0
The same folks at the United States Fire Administration that have been keeping fire and building inspectors, hazmat crews, and emergency teams in the know are taking their trainings digital. The USFA Learning Resource Center recently announced plans to add information and web technology to the topics of their online coffee break trainings. Offerings are a little light, so head over and let them know what you’re yearning to learn.
India’s Emergency Preparedness and Response
Less than a week after the terrorist attacks on Mumbai ended, the EPR India website was founded by Indian youths wanting to help others become more prepared in emergency situations. The nascent group has vowed to start EPR chapters on college campuses and begin a safety rating system for stores, hotels, and other crowded areas in the country.