Open innovation, social media and mobile technologies are rapidly changing the face of disaster preparation, response, relief and rescue. Success relies on how well intelligence coming from the crowd is harnessed.
In preparation for the approach of Hurricane Irma, Broward County in Florida launched Riskmap.us, a public reporting platform for disaster management.
In the months leading up to the hurricane, Broward County had been working with the Urban Risk Lab at MIT to develop the first version of the software in the United States. The platform encourages members of the public to report high water levels and other hazards using text and photos on existing social media platforms.
Compiling Flood Reports
The system uses a chatbot that users message directly via Facebook, Twitter and Telegram. It then sends these people a link that allows them to upload their location, depth of water and other details and images. All of this is then used to update an ever-changing map. The aim is to provide the most up-to-date information possible on changing conditions.
Riskmap.us is purely a platform for information and not for those in need of emergency assistance.
This system was first tested out during a flood in Indonesia earlier this year and 300,000 people made reports. In the near future, the team behind the platform want to roll it out to other locations in the United States.
By pooling together information coming from so many people, open innovation can serve as a dynamic tool for emergency responders, the public and policy makers.
For more information on Riskmap.us click here.