Elizabeth Bubel

Elizabeth Bubel joined the American Red Cross in 2015 and has been the program manager for the Red Cross Emergency app since 2020.

The Emergency app aims to empower a diverse public to prepare, respond, and recover from hazards. Everyone has a right to prepare. That is why Bubel developed a vision and strategy for the new Emergency app and launched it in May 2022.

So far, the app is designed to serve people who speak English and Spanish, people with disabilities, and individuals with limited literacy. The Emergency app aims to achieve Web Content Accessibility 2.2 AA Guidelines.

Users can customize the Emergency app to their needs. People can choose from 55 alerts issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/United States Geological Survey; customize how they receive their alerts; and follow storm and weather changes with free radar maps. The Emergency app features step-by-step guides to help users prepare, and games and interactive elements to reinforce learning. If a disaster impacts their location, users can easily find open Red Cross shelters and disaster services available near them with an interactive map.

The app and Bubel’s work have achieved national awards and recognition, including:

• 2023 Webby Award for Best App in Class for Public Service & Activism.

• Gold, silver, and community voice awards in Humanitarian Action for the 2024 Anthem Awards.

• 2023 American Red Cross, Charles R. Drew Memorial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Award.