Empowering the Public During Disasters
Imagine that a wildfire is approaching your house and you must evacuate. How do you find out what roads are open and your best route to safety? How do you find the location of the nearest center for evacuees?
Imagine that a major earthquake has struck the Bay Area. You've heard on the news that tap water is unsafe to drink in many areas. How do you find out if your water is safe? There is a critical need for people to donate blood. How do you find the closest place is to donate?
The Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SIE) Program is working with government agencies, utilities, and the Red Cross to develop how you will answer these questions in the future. The solution will be accessible over the Web on both computers and cell phones, using new technologies capable of immediately handling millions of queries a day. It will enable information providers to easily provide both text and map information.
SIE is currently working with representative users to test and iteratively improve the design of the solution. Students on the team develop skills in innovation and entrepreneurship, using a methodology of rapid prototyping, testing, and improvement. Future openings will be posted to the SIE Interest email list.
Case Study: KPBS and the San Diego Wildfires
In October 2007, KPBS, a local San Diego station, used Google Maps to report in real time on the spread of the fires and the status of evacuation centers.