Everyone has heard about the recent Paris Attacks on November 13th many dead, wounded, or stranded. Many companies have made use of the Internet in a time of Crisis to help those whom need it ranging from a place to stay, a way to connect with friends and loved ones, and receive critical information about the disaster.

Google Crisis

Google realized how often people turn to the internet when a disaster strikes and has created some to collect and share emergency information and support first responders to use their technology to help improve and save lives.

Crisis Response – The Google Crisis response team analyzes the crisis to decide on the response.
Responses include:

• Creating a Resource Page – This is a web page with the most relevant emergency information and tools for that crisis.
  • This can include: Contact information, news updates, donation links, and other Google tools for crisis (Google Crisis Map or Google Person Finder)
• Launching Google Person Finder – This is an application to connect to friends and loved ones following a disaster. This is usual launched when there is a large amount of missing people and traditional communication lines are unavailable.
  • How it works: On Googles Person Finder page there it will list of current disasters on left. Click on the disaster you are inquiring about and you can then choose from either “I’m looking for someone” or “I have information about someone”. From there you can enter a name to find or give information.
• Hosting a Crisis Map – This is a map that displays information concerning the disaster such as storm paths, flood zones, evacuation routes, shelter locations, and power outages. This includes official content and user-generated content.
  • How it works: On Google crisis map page it defaults showing “Weather, hazards, Emergency Preparedness” You can choose from the drop down menu what you are inquiring about.

Tools For Responders – Do you think your organization may be able to help in a disaster? There are some tools you can use using Google Crisis

• Google Public Alerts – An organization can get out emergency alerts to users relevant to a current crisis. These alerts will appear on:
  • Googles Search Results – If user searches the location of disaster a warning result will appear
  • Google Maps -Users will see a warning notification if the alert is nearby
  • Google Now – Androids notifications on Google will show the alert
• Google Person Finder – This tool can be embedded into your website for users. Also, an organization cam download the data from Google Person Finder or upload your data onto Google Person Finder for help out on field.
• Google Crisis Map – Embed onto website, Download data or upload new data to crisis map
• Other Google Tools – Docs, spreadsheets, fusion tables, and Earth can all be use by disaster responders.

Facebook Safety Check Tool

The Facebook Safety Check Tool was created original for only natural-disasters and due to the Paris Attacks has opened up to human-disasters as well. This is a notification tool meant to show friends and loved ones on Facebook that they are safe if they are in the affected area.

This was original inspired by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and was then released October 15^th, 2014.

How It Works:

• Affected Area Notification – Facebook sends a notification if you may be in affected area and asks if you are safe. It determines your area by your listed profile area, your last location, and the city you are using the internet.
• “I’m Safe” – Within the notification it gives you the option to click or tap the button “I’m Safe” and puts a green “I’m Safe” box next to your name so others can see you are safe. Other friends can also mark you as safe. If Facebook got your location wrong you can also check you are outside affected area.
• Safe Friends Notification – After the tool has been activated you will then receive notifications when your friends have marked themselves as safe.

Ways Facebook responded to Paris Attacks:

• Enabled their safety check
• Created profile picture filter of blue, white, and red

Twitter Alerts

• What? This is an alert that contains vital real-time information during a public fast-moving situation or emergency. The feature is intended for crisis, disaster, and emergency communications. These alerts can consist of:
  • Warnings for imminent dangers
  • Preventive instructions
  • Evacuation directions
  • Urgent safety alerts
  • Information on access to essential resources
  • Information on critical transit and utility outages
  • Crowd and misinformation management.
• Who? Not everyone has access to send out a Twitter Alert. Some who are include:
  • Law enforcement
  • Public safety agencies
  • Emergency management agencies
  • City and municipal governments
  • County and regional agencies
  • Select state, federal, and nation agencies and NGOs
• When? Twitter Alerts are used usually when traditional ways of communication are not available. Emergencies that may warrant alerts include:
  • Natural disasters
  • Severe weather
  • Biological incidents
  • Chemical or hazardous materials emergencies
  • Nuclear
  • Radiological incidents
  • Explosions
  • Food and agricultural incidents
  • Cyber incidents
  • Terrorism incidents
  • Crime
  • Major transportation incidents
• Where? Twitter Alerts are sent out as a push and/or SMS notification. On the Twitter timeline an alert is marked by an orange bell.

Think you organization qualifies? Complete the Twitter Alert Enrollment Form

How to get Twitter alerts? Twitter Alert Setup

Participating Organizations you can get alerts from

Ways Twitter responded to Paris Attacks:

• Use of hastags
  • #PorteOuverte – Translates to Open Doors.This means you need a safe place to stay or you are a safe place with open doors.
  • #PrayForParis – Used to show support for Paris
  • #RechercheParis – Translates to Search Paris. Friends and loved ones used this to find those they had not been able to contact.

Airbnb Disaster Relief Program

Airbnb is a website for people to list, find, and rent lodging. A result of Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 was many opening their doors In New York to those that were stranded.

Airbnb wanted to do the same during a disaster creating the disaster relief program. They have partnered with local government agencies and disaster relief organizations to make this program more effective.

How it works? Airbnb sends out emails to hosts in affected area asking if they can help. At that point hosts who participate open their doors those needing a place to stay for free.

• Airbnb still offers their 12/7 customer support, trust & safety tools, host guarantee and all other services.
• Airbnb also uses their network to provide disaster information to the guests and hosts.

Ways Airbnb responded to Paris Attacks:

• Activated their disaster relief program and many hosts in the affected areas open their doors to keep people safe.

Other companies that helped during the crisis

Uber – Turned off their city price surge.
Verzion, T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, Google, and Skype – Made calling and texts from United States to France available for free

Photo Sources:

www.google.org
www.washingtonpost.com
www.mashable.com
www.techcrunch.com
www.usatoday.com
www.twitter.com