Mobile Apps in Disaster

Have you ever built an Avatar? That may exclude too many of you, so how about something more relatable--have you ever built a survey using SurveyMonkey? You know, where you're given a predetermined set of options to create a survey that you can customize to your hearts content?

Now, apply that 'drag and drop' idea to app creation for Droid phones. Have you done that? Good. Now read this article because the folks at MIT have done just that and they're excited about how it could impact early recovery in disaster response.

The operating table inside the app inventor

Remember when I posted about Disaster Response in the Digital Age? I talked about the potential issues the mass proliferation of web applications and digital data platforms could have on disaster response. Well I would like to lump this quantum leap forward in app creation in with that post. It's not because I'm a luddite, far from it--I'm hip, I tweet, I'm a redditor, a member of the of blogosphere, so why then am I so against the DIY app-building that this MIT tool enables?

First off, I shouldn't say that I'm "against," it, because I believe there's value in tools of this nature and that the smartphone will play a key role in the future of early recovery in disaster response. I guess I would rather issue, or re-issue a strong word of caution, because I foresee this tool creating quite a stir.

You know the old adage: too many cooks in the kitchen? Well what happens when, in our quest for the next version, the next update, the next _____, we create tools that lets everyone become a cook? What you get is a lot of food, but how good is the food, and more importantly, how many terrible dishes will you have to get through before you find one that's delicious?

When you create open source tools the goal is to get that tool into as many hands as possible, the concern, in this case is that you run the risk of too many people making crap and using it. Proponents say that this access spurs innovation and that only those who have a desire to create something will. While this may be true, I urge you to look at the number of tumblr's, blogs, and other inane things (this blog) that exist simply because the tools to create them were readily available and tell me if on the whole we're spurring innovation.

If google maps hadn't created an open source aspect to their mapping tool, we wouldn't have the collaborative work order system that is being used to aid in the coordination of nonprofit organizations active in early recovery -- so I understand and appreciate the upside. However, how many Facebook pages pop up after disasters? How many local groups spring into action without having a clear idea of what they're doing? When tools are created without addressing how they're meant to fit within the existing landscape of disaster response, they're not working towards addressing the challenges of creating more resilient communities, if anything, they're working to undermine the plans, procedures, and protocols that have been put in place by emergency management professionals.

I'm not advocating that we discount or attempt to limit the power of motivated individuals and groups who play a much needed role in early recovery activities, quite the opposite. I'm one of the biggest advocates for increasing their involvement, I just want to make sure that when greater access to the building blocks that empower people to play a greater role within early recovery is enabled, that we do so with an eye towards the bigger picture. Technology without context will not contribute to situational awareness, it will merely give license to people to put themselves into potentially dangerous situations trying to capture images and video to add to this mobile app data tapestry.

Creating tools that empower is a step in the right direction; however, I would suggest that when this tool is launched, an educational module be incorporated that prepares individuals and groups for what happens after the emergency phase ends. By providing that context and the role that individuals can play by creating and using their apps, we're creating a shared understanding and a common goal, two key elements in creating community resilience and empowering individuals to take role in their communities recovery.

Can You Hear Me Now?

Information in a vacuum isn't very helpful, only when it's communicated and integrated with other data points can it be vetted and put into context. In the digital age information that's hours old may have changed, this is especially true in a post disaster environment where the balance between supply and demand is in constant flux. Given an absence of relevant and timely information, people turn to each other, oftentimes what ends up happening is that outdated information or outright lies end up being circulated adding to the confusion of an already complex situation.

In the immediate aftermath of Sandy 4G LTE networks performed well and allowed individuals continued access to data networks so that the flow of communication and information never really stopped. Given that the Mid-Atlantic region is one the largest and most densely populated markets in the country, this coverage is not surprising. However, access to 4G LTE networks is not ubiquitous and as a result, many of the challenges that come with lacking reliable access to communication and information in the aftermath of a disaster persist.

With 4G access on the rise continuity in information flow can be expected, but until that happens leveraging the fact that there are close to 7 billion active cellphones around the world, is the foundation upon which The Serval Project bases its open-source software; a solution to the communication and information blackout that happens at a local level after disasters.

The Serval Project
"Serval is a revolutionary, free, open-source software under development for mobile telephones, letting them communicate even in the absence of phone towers and other supporting infrastructure" (http://www.servalproject.org/home). Co-Founder Paul Gardner Stephen, part of the Australian-based Serval Project, was compelled to put his programming skills to use after seeing how infrastructure and communication failures in the wake of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake hampered relief efforts. The result is a free software called Serval Mesh, which essentially enables phones to talk to each other directly, or via a Mesh Extender (think signal booster), instead of via a phone tower. What this means is that it can work in the middle of nowhere, or during a disaster when the phone network is knocked out and there is no data network available. By utilizing the built in wifi capabilities our smartphones already have, this software enables continued person-to-person communication without provider access. While the ramifications of what this could mean for service providers is not fully understood, in terms of what it could mean to teams involved in Search and Rescue and early coordination of activities is an exciting prospect. 

For more information on the work and its applications please go to: www.servalproject.org and if you like what you see they are raising money via indidegogo to expand their efforts. 

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/speak-freely
http://www.servalproject.org/home

Please note that I'm not endorsing this product...I just think it's cool and wanted to share how innovation is impacting the world of disaster response.