There are many possibilities provided by online mapping tools in advancing emergency response. An online map can allow community members to upload geo-tagged information to alert other community members or emergency officials to a problem or situation like roadblocks, flooding, or fires.
The City of Calgary has developed an online mapping tool to pull data (reports of problems or situations) from social media networks. The information is then posted on the Canadian Multi-Agency Situational Awareness System (MASAS) which is currently being used by municipal, provincial, and federal agencies to share critical information during emergencies.
The goal is to be able to develop an open source mapping tool that allows users to crowdsource crisis information on mobile devices. One of the biggest challenges to this type of mapping is the need to verify messages from the general public. One solution to this is having emergency officials validate the information before it is uploaded to the map.
This type of situational awareness during an emergency can be used to alert emergency officials to emerging issues in order to speed up responses and provide communities access to important information in real time.
The Canadian Red Cross is currently exploring the use of social media and technology in disaster response. To learn more visit here.
Filed under: General Tagged: | calgary, disaster, Emergency, online mapping, preparedness, social media, Tech Talk
Amrit Dhatt, Communications Coordinator Blogging from BC
Candace Lamb blogging from the prairies
Gina Holmes /Communications Coordinator/@holmes_gna
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Janice Babineau, East Coast blogger, @JaniceBabineau
Karen Snider, Blog Master/ Media Manager, @karensnider
Katie Robinson, HQ blogger in Ottawa / Public Affairs Advisor/@katiewrobinson
Lisa, Blogging in Ontario, @LisaBanning1
Matt O'Connor, Alberta Blogger, @matthewjocon
Melanie MacDonald @mellemac777
RedCrossTalks
[...] quickly, as is the mayor of Iqaluit. City officials are also working on developing tools to use information on social networks to power online mapping tools provide situational awareness in emergencies and alert emergency officials to emerging issues in [...]
[...] reporting of weather and weather patterns is entirely possible. This is increasingly important as cities and emergency responders are working on developing online mapping tools that pull data from social media to create a crowdsourced map of local situations in an emergency. [...]
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