Technology Helping in Times of Crisis Part 3 of 3: Be Prepared
Editor’s Note: This is the third and final part of a three-part series highlighting how technology can help in times of crisis. The first part highlighted the new trend and success of mobile giving, millions of dollars raised simply by texting “Haiti” to 90999. Part two focuses on a group of high-tech programmers and managers who joined together to give technical support to relief organizations and created some helpful programs along the way. This part shows the amazing plight of a man who was stuck in the rubble in Haiti and used his iPhone to help treat his injuries to keep himself alive while he waited to be rescued.
The Boy Scout motto is “Be Prepared.” However, Dan Woolley is probably thankful for another motto, Apple iPhone’s “There’s an app for that.” On January, 12, 2010 Wolley, a filmmaker for Compassion International, was in Haiti making a documentary about poverty in Haiti, when the 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the island nation. Among the possessions Woolley was carrying at the time were his iPhone and his SLR camera.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, Woolley found himself trapped beneath the rubble of his hotel. A place he would stay for the next 65 hours. Fortunately for Woolley he had previously downloaded the American Heart Association's Pocket First Aid & CPR application to his iPhone. The application, which is $3.99, provides basic and expert first aid information for a wide variety of situations.
With the aid of the iPhone app, Woolley used his belt as a tourniquet to help stop the bleeding from his leg, which had a compound fracture. He also treated his head, which was also bleeding. Because of his head injury, the app also advised Woolley not to fall asleep, so he set his alarm to go off every 20 minutes. Having treated his wounds, Wooley was then able to use his digital camera to help find a safe place to wait for rescue workers.
In October, 2009 during CCW’s “The Future of Wireless in Colorado” we were fortunate to have the developers of iTriage give a presentation on a very similar application that allows you to check your symptoms, learn about your conditions, and find a medical provider best suited to treat your situation. At the time of the presentation, I downloaded a copy of iTriage on my phone. However, after reading the story of Dan Woolley, I am considering downloading the Heart Associations’ app and other survival app, because we never know when something bad may happen and it is best to Be Prepared.
The Haiti earthquake is one of the worst natural disasters in recent memory, but digital technology and Internet communications allow the world to respond on a scale that is unprecedented in human history. Yes, I said it -- unprecedented in human history.
Less than five years ago, it would have been unthinkable for millions of people to contribute via text message, as described in the first installment of this series. We could not have used social media and mobile Internet to link volunteers and create online tools to coordinate emergency response, as recounted in series installment two. Before global networks and smartphones, there were no downloadable apps that helped people diagnose and treat their own injuries during an emergency.
Today’s global communications network, and the innovative devices and applications that operate on it, have been created by a combination of human ingenuity and enormous investment of private capital. No single person, company or government agency is responsible for its existence, but all are benefiting from its presence. At this point I would encourage you to do two things: 1) be a lifesaver today by texting “Haiti” to 90999. 2) Be a lifesaver tomorrow by showing your support for the free and competitive marketplace that has brought the lifesavers recounted in this short series.
Sources:
- http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/159813
- http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/34933053/ns/today-today_people/
Technology Helping in Times of Crisis Part 2 of 3: Geeks without Borders
Tech Community Comes Together to Develop New Tools for Crisis Management
Editor’s Note: This is the second of a three-part series highlighting how technology can help in times of crisis. The first part highlighted the new trend and success of mobile giving, millions of dollars raised simply by texting “Haiti” to 90999. This part focuses on a group of high-tech programmers and managers who joined together to give technical support to relief organizations and created some helpful programs along the way. And finally, part three will show the plight of a man who was stuck in the rubble in Haiti and used his iPhone to help treat his injuries to keep himself alive while he waited to be rescued.
In the wake of a natural disaster people feel powerless as they watch the aftermath on news or read the reports over the wires. People often ask themselves “what can I do to help?” Giving money to help relief efforts is one way, as highlighted in part 1 of this series. But for hundreds of high tech volunteers giving money to Haitian relief simply was not enough; they gave their time and expertise to create programs that could help redefine how we deal with crisis management in the future.
“Great things are accomplished by talented people who believe they will accomplish them.” - Warren G. Bennis
After the 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti on Tuesday, January, 12, 2010 hundreds of high tech volunteers mobilized to help disaster relief efforts in Haiti. One of the efforts was spearheaded by a group called CrisisCommons. CrisisCommon is “an international volunteer network of professionals drawn together by a call to service. We create technological tools and resources for responders to use in mitigating disasters and crises around the world.”
Spreading the word via social networking and social media sites, high tech volunteers were directed to “CrisisCamp Haiti” in 6 major cities with the goal of using their talents to provide technical support to relief efforts on the ground in Haiti. On the first weekend more than 400 volunteers where attending a CrisisCamp. This is an unprecedented coordinated effort by tech volunteers.
Here are some of the examples of the tools that tech volunteers where able to achieve:
- software for tracking missing people;
- mapping the disaster area, including up-to-date information on new field hospitals being built and downed bridges overlaid on post-earthquake satellite images;
- a text based system that allows volunteers to translate, geotag, and categorize urgent text messages; this allowed volunteers to locate a woman who was eight months pregnant woman and provide assistance;
- created a Creole-English dictionary for smart phones for aid workers to use on the ground to translate the native language; and
- a “We Have, We Need” database, a Craigslist of sorts, where relief workers can publicize urgent needs.
Working directly with the NGOs is a novel and focused way to direct all the positive talents of so many volunteers to deliver tools needed on the ground. CrisisCamp Haiti will serve as a model for future crises whether in the U.S. or abroad.
CrisisCamp Haiti Continues to expand. This past weekend more than 12 cities held their own. If you want to learn more about CrisisCommons you can visit their website at http://www.crisiscommons.org/
Sources:
- http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LT_TEC_HAITI_TECH_RELIEF?SITE=ARLID&SECTION=TECHNOLOGY&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-01-19-21-56-56
- http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-haiti-crisiscamp17-2010jan17,0,6468659.story
- http://www.crisiscommons.org/
Technology Helping in Times of Crisis Part 1 of 3: Mobile Giving Takes a Leap Forward
Editor’s Note: This is the first of a three part series highlighting how modern technology and networked communications are helping in times of crisis. The first part highlights the new trend and success of mobile giving, examining how millions of dollars are being raised simply by texting “Haiti” to 90999. The second part will focus on a group of high-tech programmers and managers who joined together to give technical support to relief organizations and created some helpful programs along the way. will show the plight of a man who was stuck in the rubble in Haiti and used his iPhone to help treat his injuries and keep himself alive while he waited to be rescued.
By anyone’s standards Haiti is in desperate need of assistance as it recovers from its most destructive natural disaster in over 200 years. Catastrophic death and destruction followed the massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12, 2010. By some accounts 90% of the buildings in Haiti have been destroyed, the death toll is in the hundreds of thousands of people, and those who did survive are threatened by disease, starvation and lack of clean water. But out of devastation comes compassion, kindness, and hope as the international community joins together to help the small Caribbean nation recover from its tragedy.
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” - Leo Buscaglia
Text "HAITI" to 90999 to Donate $10 to the Red Cross
There are a few simple rules when it comes to fundraising: 1) make it as easy as possible for someone to donate and 2) people are more likely to give if it is for a specific cause. The text “Haiti” campaign scores a perfect 10 on both of these criteria. By using the text system the Red Cross eliminates the need for a credit card, donation form, computer, allows the donor to donate anywhere anytime, and all without the overhead cost of an operator. It is perfect in its simplicity.
Setting up for Success
Within hours of the earthquake in Haiti, Colorado native, James Eberhard, was working with the U.S. Department of State to get the mobile giving site up and running. It was complete within two hours and the State Department told media outlets that people could donate to relief efforts by texting “Haiti” to 90999. News media responded by broadcasting the information to their audiences and within two days more than $4 million dollars had been raised via text messaging. To put this feat in context, prior to the Haitian relief campaign the American Red Cross’ record for raising money via texts was $200,000, which occurred during the 2008 hurricane season. By contrast it took almost two weeks to launch traditional fundraising efforts for Haitian relief.
The Text Message Campaign “Game Changing” Moment
As of Monday, January 25, 2010 the Red Cross has raised more than $29 million via its text campaign. That means that more than 2.9 million “Haiti” texts have been sent from everyday people. This by no means is a substitute for volunteers of all types, large donations, telethon drives, and other types of relief efforts, but it does prove that micro-donations via text messaging is a viable solution to quickly jump start relief efforts and capture an audience that otherwise might not give.
To learn more about mobile giving, and other organizations you can donate to, please visit the mGive Website at: http://mgive.com/Partners.aspx
Source: http://www.denverpost.com/news/frontpage/ci_14256405
Please check back on Monday, February 1, 2010 for Part 2 of this series.Coalition for a Connected West October Newsletter
Coalition for a Connected West October Newsletter
Happy October from the Coalition for a Connected West! This has been an incredibly exciting and busy time for us as we completed our first major event, the “Securing Connections” symposium in Phoenix, Arizona. We’re also in the early planning stages of more events in states across the West where we’ll be discussing some of today’s most important technology and communication issues with consumers, businesses and experts in the field. Be sure to stay updated in the weeks ahead by checking our website, Connectedwest.org, for all the details!
Event Recap: CCW’s Securing Connections
On Tuesday, September 23rd, the Coalition for a Connected West held the first event in its Securing Connections series at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. The lunch event was co-sponsored by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The event featured three dynamic speakers: Former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Larry Irving spoke on the “Exaflood” – the data surge that is pushing the Internet to its limits; Co-Founder and CEO of Auroras Entertainment Diane Smith talked about the wonders of the wireless world and how businesses can be started, grow and thrive from anywhere in the world do to advances in wireless technology; and Consumer Policy Solutions President Debra Berlyn provided valuable tips on how parents, children and older adults can stay safe online.
CCW would like to thank Glenn Hamer, President of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry and State Representative Chad Campbell (D-District 14) for their participation in the event. The event was a great success and we are looking forward to bringing the event to the other states covered in the CCW territory! Check out video footage of the event at here!
Issue Alert: Behavioral Advertising
Recently, the United States Senate heard testimony from leading communications experts and consumer advocates on the practice of behavioral advertising, a controversial Internet marketing tool that is beginning to receive an increasing amount of scrutiny. Behavioral advertising is widespread and is frequently noticed by savvy computer users. The practice works by analyzing the content of a user’s Internet browsing or searching history and then targeting the user with targeted advertisements based on their interests. If an Internet user searches for “bathing suits,” for instance, they may soon become the target for a slew of swimwear ads. Behavioral advertising has been used in the past by some Internet providers and is also frequently used by web sites and search engines, who can sell user search information to advertisers for a profit. Advocates for behavioral advertising argue that this makes for a better browsing experience for consumers, who are much more likely to see advertisements targeted to their interests. However, most consumers don’t even know that their online activity is being tracked and consumer advocates argue this practice is an invasion of privacy. The problem, critics argue, is that search engines aren’t giving consumers the option to opt in or out of behavioral advertising. So, like it or not, right now you’re being watched!
There will no doubt be much more discussion and debate on this issue and CCW will be sure to keep you updated.
October is National Cyber Security Month
This October marks the fifth annual National Cyber Security Month as designated by the Department of Homeland Security. All month long, the National Cyber Security Division has been holding events to raise awareness about emerging cyber threats and what businesses, consumers and families can do to protect themselves. Today’s “cybercriminals” use a wide range of tools and illegal methods to steal the identities, private information, and records of millions of Americans, costing citizens and businesses millions of dollars and burdening victims with the challenging and expensive process of fixing the damage. CCW encourages all technology users to take simple steps to protect your information. Changing your passwords every 60 to 90 days, using updated virus protection software, and opening email attachments only from trusted senders can go a long way towards ensuring that you aren’t a victim to a cyber threat. Visit StaySafeOnline.org for more tips on how to protect yourself online!
Holographic Television May Be Closer Than You Think
Researchers at the University of Arizona recently created the first updatable three-dimensional display that includes memory, a breakthrough in the quest to make 3-D holographic television a reality. Scientists have been able to create still holographic images since the 1990s, but television requires a display that can change images multiple times a second. The recent development at the University of Arizona resulted in a set of displays that could be completely erased and rewritten within minutes, paving the way for future development that will improve on the speed and efficiency of the technology. Holographic television could potentially come in two forms; a flat-panel set like a plasma or LCD television that projects images outward, or a horizontal panel like a coffee table that would project images directly above. Researchers agree that the technology will develop rapidly now that this important milestone has been reached. It may not be long before families across the world can view sporting events, concerts, or even home videos as though they were happening right in front of them!
March 2008 Online Newsletter
Greetings from the Coalition for a Connected West! Thank you for visiting our website and joining our e-mail distribution list. This is the Coalition’s first e-newsletter. I hope you find the content helpful and informative.
I am very excited about the work CCW is undertaking – educating consumers, policy makers and business leaders about communications and technology-related issues in the Western Region of the U.S. Change is constant and rapid in both areas and it’s important that the policies our elected officials are considering are designed to enhance competition and innovation so that consumers continue to benefit from new products and services and competitive prices.
I am interested in hearing from you. If there are communications and technology issues you’re concerned about, or you have a story to share, let us know. You can drop me an e-mail at info@connectedwest.org. Enjoy!
Katie Hutchinson
Executive Director
Coalition for a Connected West
State Updates
Arizona
A bill pending at the Arizona State Legislature, Senate Bill 1010, could drive-up prices and diminish choice in cell phones. The bill is labeled a “cell phone user’s bill of rights,” but a closer look reveals over-regulation at its worst and will end up harming consumers rather than helping them in the long run.
CCW isn’t the only organization opposed to this bill. Other groups opposed include the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Consumer Electronics Association, the Goldwater Institute, Women Impacting Public Policy, the Arizona Federation of Taxpayers, the American Legislative Exchange Council, Americans for Tax Reform, Motorola, TechNet, Freedom Works, and the Hispanic Alliance for Progress Institute.
CCW is proud to support another Arizona bill, Senate Bill 1034, which would allow members of the military and their spouses to terminate wireless service contracts without penalty if the military member is called to active duty. Though most wireless companies already do this, CCW supports giving members of the military a break on their wireless contracts if they’re called to active duty.
And in Utah …House Bill 139, the Wireless Internet Access Act, sounds promising but is wrought with challenges. The bill requires labeling wireless products and requires a person maintaining a public wireless network to attempt to restrict access to minors. The bill calls for fines ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 if a person does not restrict access to a public wireless network and a minor accesses material harmful to minors through that network.
This means that anyone who has a wireless LAN or cell phone equipped with wireless technology is subject to these fines if a minor access “harmful material.” It may sound good in theory, but will be a tricky one to enforce. There are plenty of safeguards available to block unwanted content on the Internet and the simplest solution of all is for adults to keep tabs on what sites kids are visiting.
In Wyoming, there are two bills pending that prohibit using wireless devices while driving, House Bill 0070 and House Bill 0094. It’s common sense to know that you’re distracted if you’re driving and talking on the phone at the same time. Studies show that drivers that talk on the phone behind the wheel respond slower to brake lights and take longer to speed up again, disturbing the overall flow of traffic. However, singling out cell phones as the only way a driver can be distracted doesn’t make a ton of sense since drivers can just as easily be distracted by turning the radio station, inserting a CD, eating or putting on makeup. Distracted driving bills that include a broader scope of what constitutes being distracted make more sense and are better overall public policy.
WiMax. What is it?
WiMax, short for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is the latest — and the most promising — of the wireless broadband technologies. WiMax is essentially radio technology that promises to deliver two-way Internet access at speeds of up to 75 megabits per second at significantly longer range than WiFi. Supporters of this new technology claim that WiMax can transmit data up to 30 miles between broadcast towers and can cover areas more than a mile in radius with Internet access that is faster than current DSL and cable broadband capabilities.
WiMax is seen as a means of connecting rural and remote areas with broadband service by eliminating the need technically and economically difficult task of burying wire for DSL or cable connections. As a result, it could significantly reduce the cost of bringing broadband Internet access to remote areas and potentially open the market to new broadband competition, leading to lower prices and faster speeds for consumers.
Consumer Tip
Open Networks
Did you know that you can take your phone with you from one service provider to another? Most major wireless carriers have opened their networks to all cell phones regardless of where you purchased it. That means more flexibility and choice for you, the consumer! Before you make the switch, be sure to check that your phone is compatible with the carrier’s network.
Kudos!
Kudos to OASIS for joining with AT&T to hold a seminar to give seniors tips on how to use a cell phone. Oasis is a national non-profit organization designed to enhance the quality of life for seniors. The event was held at a Salvation Army in Phoenix, Arizona. Seniors were taught how to pick out ring tones, send text messages, program speed dials and had questions about billing issues answered. Great program — we know it was helpful to seniors in Arizona!
Domestic Violence Charity
Not sure what to do with your old cell phone, cell phone battery or accessories? Verizon Wireless collects these items in any condition and from any service provider at their Communications Stores across the country, refurbishes them and sells them for reuse. Proceeds from the sales are used to provide cell phones and cash grants to shelters and non-profit organizations focused on domestic violence prevention and awareness. The program is called Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine phone recycling program. If your phone can’t be refurbished, Verizon will dispose of it in an environmentally safe way. This is a great way to put your old cell phones and accessories to good use. Hats off to Verizon Wireless for their HopeLine phone recycling program.
Tell a friend about CCW!
Like what CCW has to say? Tell a friend about us, and ask them to visit us online at http://www.connectedwest.org.