Description:
In the US, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers an app for disaster warnings and information on how to prepare for and behave during and after a disaster, including finding shelters and filing insurance claims. The app was released in 2022 and is an improved version of the original FEMA app with new features, easier to understand and simpler to use. The different used cases for the app are described in the three phases prepare, protect, and recover. To prepare for crises, the app offers basic information about disasters, shows, for example, how to create an emergency plan for the family, and much more. To know what is going on and protect yourself the app alerts you in case of weather or emergency warnings in your area. There is also a function to find a shelter near you. In the recovery phase of a disaster, you can find information if your region is eligible for FEMA assistance, the location of the next disaster recovery center, and more.
To make the app usable for as many as possible an inclusive design with for example screen reader technology is implemented.
The solution could help to address the following needs of first responders and authorities:
Communicate with or alert citizens
Improve preparedness level among citizens