The combined number of Android, Apple iOS, Blackberry and Web apps is well into the millions. It can seem overwhelming at times, but if you know what to look for, you can end up with a host of useful apps that can provide assistance on the fireground or incident scene, helping research a key topic and speed response.
From time to time, it is beneficial to do general category searches. For example, go to Google Play, the Apple App Store or Blackberry World, and search categories like hazmat, fire, EMS, emergency, disaster, tornado, hurricane, weather, OSHA, you get the idea. Generally this will reveal a wide variety of apps. Most of the apps are rated, and these user ratings can help you choose among apps that may be similar in functionality. Many apps are free while other apps, usually ones that are more complex and possibly commercial, have charges.
I reviewed some key fire service-related categories and developed some tips about what to look for in these apps.
Live broadcasting
The way some apps function, especially social media apps, has changed significantly since their original release. Apps like Twitter and Facebook now provide the ability to embed video. Facebook Live, Livestream, Periscope and Ustream appear to be the most popular apps for live-stream video. From a fire service perspective, these apps provide a way to broadcast events, meetings and training sessions to anyone who has these apps on their smart device or computer.
These apps can also be used to search areas where there has been severe weather or areas that have suffered some sort of disaster, like an earthquake, tornado, flood, etc. Live-stream reports are often given by those who have been impacted. Minutes after the major earthquake in New Zealand, live reports were being broadcast via Facebook Live, Livestream and Periscope. Additionally, those people were asking for any information others may have, as these apps provides a two-way text feature.
Facebook also implemented a “Facebook Safety Check,” which allows people to self-report that they are safe so their friends and family know. This has been used very effectively worldwide following catastrophic events. Emergency managers are now looking at ways of utilizing this feature in their communities. Fire departments could use this as a way to establish safety checks for their families and/or members of their department. Then a tornado hits, for example, they can automatically begin checking the status of family, friends and/or department members.
Aircraft-related
When there is an emergency, it is sometimes necessary to know what is happening with incoming aircraft as to time of arrival and present location. FlightAware is the most popular app for this, and the user can set notifications if there are changes in the flight. LiveATC provides links to many air traffic control towers in the United States so you can listen live to the assigned frequencies. If you need airport weather information, Live Aviation provides the latest weather reports (known as METARS and TAFs). This may be very important if you need to know weather for a drone/unmanned aircraft system (UAS) flight.
Drones/UAS
The Kittyhawk Drone Log Book and sUAS Flight Operations apps provide current flight conditions from your GPS location, flight logs, pre- and post-flight checklists, all of your remote pilot certificate information and more. Hover—the most well-known UAS app—provides flight logs, weather, a quick automated checklist for safe flying, drone news and a built-in timer. There are typically apps associated with each specific type of drone as well. These apps will be very helpful for all departments that plan on implementing a drone program.
Hazmat
Most hazmat-focused apps are self-explanatory and available for free. They include access to Chemical Data Sheets, Emergency Response Guide 2017, FiRST, WISER, hazmat training, NIOSH Pocket Guide and hazmat segregation. First responders can quickly identify dangerous chemicals through the placards or identify the proper size of an evacuation zone. These apps provide quick access to critical information relating to hazmat incidents so hazmat responders don’t have to flip through books, but rather have access to easy-to-use online tools to provide a plethora of hazmat information.
Railroad
There are a number of valuable railroad-related apps. CSX Rail Respond provides information as to individual train car information or full consist (all cars) to senior officers . It also provides reference to the Emergency Response Guide and Isolation Zone. Ask Rail includes information from all Class 1 railroads in the United States and Canada. It provides similar information but currently requires an additional app (FiRST) for hazmat information. There is also an app called Railroad Locator, which provides the locations of railroad crossings in the United States.
Weather
Some of the most popular weather apps are Weatherbug, Storm, Dark Sky, Wunderground, Hi-Def Radar and NOAA Radar. Most of these apps are free and provide daily forecast, 7- to 10-day forecasts and radar. Some are more sophisticated and provide lightning alerts and other specific capabilities. The American Red Cross provides severe weather apps specific to hurricanes and tornados. AmericaAlerts is an all-in-one weather app with talking notifications for weather, earthquakes and tsunamis. Marine Weather provides NOAA Buoy Data. Flood Zone Map also provides access to river gauges from around the United States, and provides the latest stream gauge information. RiverApp is another river flow app that provides access to more than 12,000 rivers and lakes. It even allows for river-level alarm push notifications.
Disaster-related
FEMA still has one of the best apps. It provides information on what to do for almost every possible disaster or severe event, and it is all downloaded on your smart device so the information is available even when the network may be down. Additionally, the American Red Cross provides apps for disasters, earthquakes, shelters and more. There are many earthquake apps, but the most popular app is listed as simply Earthquake. It provides listings of all earthquakes, and you can set parameters on where and to what magnitude you are alerted. Disaster Alert provides the most comprehensive listings of present and ongoing disasters from around the globe. ubAlert is similar to Disaster Alert, but it is designed to integrate a social media aspect to link to other users.
Incident command
There are a number of incident command apps. Tablet Command allows the placement of resources on a satellite map, does not require an Internet signal and can be used as a training platform. iICS does cost money, but it allows the user to create an Incident Command Magnet Board on the smart device to track units and/or groups. It also works without Internet signal. NIMS ICS Guide provides the pocket guide online. You can now customize contact information for each incident for rapid on-scene communication; the app also includes dynamic checklists. SimUshare costs $9.99, but it allows you to take your own photos and enhance them with sequenced animations like smoke, fire and explosions for realistic training simulations.
Search and rescue (SAR)
There are a number of SAR apps. One that has high ratings is the Lost Person Behavior app, which provides great insight to anyone searching for lost persons. This lost person behavior information helps direct search commanders where to begin their search based on behavioral research. SARApp is an app that utilizes GPS in smartphones to document where a searcher has looked in real time. This app helps define areas that still need to be searched. The Tactical NAV app enables users to map and plot waypoints with pinpoint accuracy. It allows users to share location information with each other using email, text and Facebook and even take photographs stamped with GPS coordinates.
Misc. apps
Sometimes there are apps that can help in unique situations. Because you never know who you may have to talk with, it’s good to have iTranslate, as it can help translate from 90 languages. It can listen to male and female voices and switch between different dialects.
You may also find that you need to communicate with the deaf community. ALS (American Sign Language) provides the alphabet, commonly used phrases and vocabulary. SignSchool provides a way to help you learn American Sign Language.
CDC Field Triage provides guidelines for field triage of injured patients. This app can test your knowledge of the decision scheme, and help make daily transport decisions for severely injured patients.
In sum
There are many more apps available, all worth exploring on your own from time to time. There are some real gems to be discovered if you are willing to spend a little time—and possibly money. Happy hunting and let me know if you find something spectacular.
Charles Werner
CHARLES WERNER, who is a Firehouse contributing editor, is a 45-year veteran of public safety. He served with the Charlottesville, VA, Fire Department for 37 years, serving the past 10 years as chief. Following retirement, Werner served for two years as senior adviser and acting deputy state coordinator for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. He has chaired: DHS SAFECOM Executive Committee; IAFC Technology Council; National Information Sharing Consortium; and DHS/White House Incident Management Information Sharing SubCommittee. Werner currently serves as the director of DroneResponders Public Safety Alliance, chair of the National Council on Public Safety UAS and chair of the Virginia Secure Commonwealth UAS Sub Panel.
