Google Public Alerts
If you’ve ever searched for news on a looming emergency, you’ve likely been forced to sift through a deluge of results to get the info you need. Now skip all that. Google Public Alerts is a powerhouse of emergency information culled from authoritative sources, easily searched by category, and mapped. The concept is as simple as it sounds, but for the full skinny on all the bells and whistles, you can read Google’s blog post here.
Harden Up
Queenslanders aren’t known for being soft, but in the wake of recent record flooding, this site was created to help them harden up during disaster. Taking an interesting tack, this site delivers on three main goals—making residents aware, preparing them for disasters, and making sure they can help others. Interactive elements let kids play preparedness games, families make custom disaster plans, and everyone learn more about the local impacts of climate change.
Where Is the Money?
With disasters becoming increasingly more costly and aid organizations facing funding gaps, Thomson Reuters Foundation’s AlertNet has taken a look at the possible future of humanitarian aid. This multimedia package centers on the results of a poll of 41 relief organizations and answers questions about funding challenges, trends, and possible adaptations. Users will find poll results, videos, new reports, and a forum for sharing related stories and opinions.
BioSense 2.0
The BioSense program—which has long allowed health officials to monitor public health issues and coordinate response—has recently gotten an update to allow better local tracking, expanded data use, easier threat detection, and access to advances in science and technology. The new and improved BioSense was created based on stakeholder input. More information about the changes, how to get involved, and a list of frequently asked questions can be found at the redesign website.
National EMS Assessment
Funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and billed as the first national assessment of its kind, this report compiles existing data on state and national EMS, EMS emergency preparedness, and 911 systems. A discussion of data needs and possible future assessments is also included.