EP Apps - iPhone/Tablet
Note: information on page has been extracted from NY DMH Responder - Winter 2014
NIMS/ICS
NIMS ICS Guide
Price: $6.99 to $14.99
Platforms: Android, iOS
Though it has a much higher price tag than the other apps the NIMS ICS Guide is recommended for responders working in Emergency Operation and Incident Command Centers.
Download at:
Personal Preparedness
American Red Cross Apps
Price: Free to $.99
Platforms: Android, iOS
The American Red Cross has put out a series of apps related to preparedness and recovery. Use these for your own needs or refer clients and survivors to them!
- First Aid
- Pet First Aid
- Hurricane
- Tornado
- Earthquake
- Wildfire
For a full list of American Red Cross apps and instructions on how to download them, visit http://www.redcross.org/prepare/mobile-apps
FEMA App
Price: Free
Platforms: Android, Blackberry, iOS
FEMA’s disaster app has a tool for building an emergency kit, general tips on how to prepare for disasters and information for affected individuals on how and where to apply for assistance. This app is another that can be both useful to you in the field and for survivors.
Download at:
Clinical Tools
Pocket First Aid & CPR
Price: $1.99
Platforms: Android, iOS
Released by the American Heart Association this guide provides you with step-by-step information about how to perform CPR and other basic first aid. From an emergency preparedness perspective this app also provides the user a place to store medical information for themselves and family members and can place wallpaper on their phone that tells medical personnel where to find information about allergies, pre-existing health conditions and emergency contact numbers.
Download at:
Information Tracking
iAlertz
Price: Free
Platforms: iOS
iOS users can download this app based on NY-Alert notifications. This app will able you to get information about current alerts, nearby emergency
services. It also gives NY-Alert Authorized Notifiers a platform to create alerts for distribution.
Download at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ialertz/id447896305?mt=8
Disaster Alert
Price: Free
Platforms: Android, iOS
Purely informational this app gives you the opportunity to stay abreast of any occurring disasters around the globe.
Download at:
HealthMap: Outbreaks Near Me
Price: Free
Platforms: Android, iOS
Use this app to get information about disease and health outbreaks in your area and set the app to alert you with a notice when an outbreak occurs.
Download at:
Psychological First Aid and Other Clinical Tools
PFA Mobile
Price: Free
Platforms: Android, iOS
Useful for those using Psychological First Aid in the field PFA Mobile offers interventions, tips and other resources to support responders. Developed by the VA’s National Center for PTSD, National Child Traumatic Stress Network, and DoD’s National Center for Telehealth and Technology, this app has an incredible breadth of information.
Download at:
SAMHSA Disaster App
Price: Free
Platforms: Android, Blackberry (Coming Soon) iOS
This app was mentioned in the last Fall 2013 issue of the DMH Responder. Now that it has been released we can share with confidence its utility as a disaster mental health tool. With the ability to access and easily share important information such as tip sheets for survivors, how to get them support, coping information and pre- and post-deployment resources for the responder, this app is a true must-have for any responder in the field.
Download at http://store.samhsa.gov/apps/disaster/
Psychological First Aid (PFA)
Price: Free
Platforms: Android, iOS
This app from University of Minnesota Public Health allows the user to review the core components of PFA, promoting safety, calm, connectedness and self-empowerment. This app comes complete with information about the common reactions to traumatic events, when to refer someone to a mental health provider and practice scenarios to test the user’s knowledge.
PE Coach
Price: Free
Platforms: Android, iOS
For clinicians working with clients in a long term setting Prolonged Exposure (PE) is a highly recommended, evidence-based psychotherapy treatment for PTSD. PE Coach was designed as a tool for clinicians and their clients to maintain treatment goals. *Please note: This is not a training tool in Prolonged Exposure therapy;clinicians should seek training in this model before attempting to use this therapy and app with a client.
Download at:
Self Care
Tactical Breather
Price: Free
Platforms: Android, iOS
Another app created by the The National Center for Telehealth and Technology Tactical Breather is an app that allows the user to practice breathing in a way that lowers their arousal levels. Useful in both disaster and other clinical settings to help an individual maintain calm.
Download at:
Responder Self Care
Price: Free
Platforms: Android, iOS
Released by University of Minnesota School of Public Health Responder Self Care helps you keep track of your wellness as you respond to a disaster. From the app’s description: “This mobile app aids those deployed to emergency response events in maintaining their own physical, emotional, and social well-being”. It provides checklists for before, during, and after deployment that help responders pack for deployment, take care of daily needs, maintain important relationships, reflect on experiences, and more.”
Download at:
Provider Resilience
Price: Free
Platforms: Android, iOS
Offered by the National Center for Telehealth and Technology Provider Resilience allows you to assess your burnout, secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue in a quick and easy app. Provider Resilience also allows you to keep track of how long it’s been since you’ve had a day off and can give you tips on coping and maintaining compassion satisfaction.
Download at:
Other Useful Apps
Google Translate
Price: Free
Platforms: Android, iOS
Google’s translator app offers the ability to communicate in more than 70 different languages. For disaster responders, the ability to break through language barriers to give timely, accurate information and support to survivors is invaluable. Android users can download languages ahead of time to access translations without 3G and can even take photos of signs and documents for easy translations.
Download at: