A better way to aid and inform emergency services with Elerts app

July 22nd, 2011
Niall Harbison
Simply Zesty

One of the most obvious benefits that social media brought is the speed of which information is shared. From the large scale disasters such as the Japan earthquake to minor accidents or delays experienced on your route home.

However, the problem with this method is that such messages can get lost inbetween a sea of posts and tweets and so a more dedicated platform has been created to solve this.

Elerts is a free iPhone and Android app, designed to utilize crowdsourcing and group all first-hand emergency reports into one place. Allowing users to report emergencies and accidents via updates, photos or videos, the service makes it easier for emergency authorities to figure out the best method of response.

When you first load the app, you are asked what your role is, which the choices being Emergency Manager, First Responder, Media or Private Citizen.

Reporting an emergency

When you want to report an accident or emergency, the camera first loads for you to take a picture before you select the type of report, which is then shared to others using the service.

Users can also report warning messages from the app to other social media networks to inform those they feel may benefit from such knowledge. However anyone who misuses the service by posting false reports or information will be kicked off.

Elerts uses the location services on the iPhone to configure and display alerts near your location. Users also have the option of configuring it so that it will provide alerts for specific areas, cities or organisations.

While the service is designed to help emergency services, first responders will not be informed about an emergency via Elerts. Instead, users are told to inform emergency services first before they use the app.