Push-to-talk apps for disaster communications: Hurricane season brings technology adaptation

Authors

  • Alexander H. Chang, BA
  • Rabia Bega, MBBS Candidate
  • Edbert B. Hsu, MD, MPH

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajdm.2018.0297

Keywords:

push-to-talk applications, Zello, hurricanes, disaster communication

Abstract

Effective communication during disasters is essential for emergency management, responders, and impacted populations. Recent hurricanes have drawn attention to the potential utility of push-to-talk (PTT) applications with some such as Zello, garnering over 6 million downloads during the week prior to Hurricane Irma. PTT technology integrates a two-way radio system to transmit and receive messages via point-to-point communication lines. With rapid implementation of newer technology and applications often driven by anecdotal reports and the media, the actual performance impact of such technology in the face of disasters is challenging to assess. This article attempts to characterize advantages and limitations of PTT in the context of hurricanes through primary news article sources.

Author Biographies

Alexander H. Chang, BA

Visiting Student, Department of Emergency Medicine, Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. Maryland

Rabia Bega, MBBS Candidate

Visiting Student, Department of Emergency Medicine, Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. Maryland

Edbert B. Hsu, MD, MPH

Faculty, Department of Emergency Medicine; Associate Director, Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland

References

Austin-made Zello app was crucial for Harvey rescuers. Business. Austin American-Statesman from Austin-Texas. September 6, 2017: B7. Available at https://www.512tech.com/technology/austin-madeapp-proved-crucial-harvey-rescuers/gc4Onb2XjRh08DziYBlm0O/. Accessed January 11, 2018.

Hurricane Harvey: Social media and mobile tech come to the rescue in Texas. The East Bay Times (California). August 31, 2017.

Fortin J: When disaster hits and landlines fail, social media is a lifeline. The New York Times. September 23, 2017.

Walkie-Talkie app Zello proves critical in Harvey rescue efforts [Internet]. New York Observer. December 30, 2017. Available at http://observer.com/2017/08/zello-app-walkie-talkie-cb-radio-hurricane-harvey-rescue-assistance/. Accessed January 11, 2018.

Lee S: Disaster survival: Yes, there’s apps for that; Tech goes hand in hand with preparedness. Your smartphone can warn of earthquakes, text without towers or work as a walkie- talkie. Dayton Daily News. December 1, 2017.

Bonazzo J: What’s impacted by the California wildfires—And how you can help. New York Observer. December 7, 2017.

Holley KS: Do-it-yourself rescues are part of the Texas way. A-Section. The Washington Post. September 3, 2017:A01.

Apps unite in cause as Irma strikes. The Financial Express. September 19, 2017.

Holley P: How the walkie-talkie app Zello helped Harvey rescuers find survivors. Business. Chicago Daily Herald. September 3, 2017.

Holley P: How the human voice became the “Cajun Navy’s” tool for saving lives A-Section. The Washington Post. September 4, 2017: A15.

McConahey M: How to prepare for wildfire evacuation. Lifestyle. The Press Democrat. October 12, 2017.

Williams C: Samsung wins £210m emergency services deal. Business. The Daily Telegraph. November 24, 2017: 1.

Top iPhone apps: “Zello Walkie Talkie,” “Flip Master,” “Remind.” Consumer trends. AFP-Relaxnews. English International Version. September 8, 2017.

Accounting Professor Volunteers Data-Management Skills in Hurricane Harvey Response. US Official News. September 14, 2017.

Bruha J: Odessa man travels to Katy with airboat, helps rescue flood victims. State and Regional News. Odessa American. August 31, 2017.

Hauslohner A: On dark, watery streets, an adrenaline-driven mission to rescue the stranded. A-Section. The Washington Post. September 1, 2017: A08.

Danielson R: What we learned. National. Tampa Bay Times. September 17, 2017: 7.

Dawson A: “Cracker navy” sets out on rescue mission. National. Tampa Bay Times. September 11, 2017: 5.

Jonsson P: Are we asking too much of Houston’s Good Samaritans?; The response to hurricane Harvey has been characterized by the enormous efforts of volunteers and neighbors. It is a throwback to an era of greater self-reliance but also points to potential problems. The Christian Science Monitor. September 1, 2017.

Sprint: FEMA chooses Sprint Direct Connect – Sprint’s gold standard push to talk service -- For Nationwide Mass Evacuation Program. Sprint Newsroom [Internet]. Available at http://newsroom.sprint.com/fema-chooses-sprint-direct-connect-sprints-gold-standard-push-to-talk-service-for-nationwide-mass-evacuation-program.htm. Accessed January 11, 2018.

Holley P: The ‘Cajun Navy’s’ secret weapon for saving lives: The human voice. The Washington Post. September 2, 2017. Available at https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2017/08/31/the-cajun-navys-secret-weapon-for-saving-lives-the-human-voice/. Accessed January 13, 2018.

Inc Z. Zello walkie-talkie app [Internet]. Available at https://zello.com/app. Accessed December 15, 2017.

Walsh L, Subbarao I, Gebbie K, et al.: Core competencies for disaster medicine and public health. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2012; 6(1): 44-52.

Build A Kit. Ready.gov [Internet]. Available at https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit. Accessed January 18, 2018.

Published

07/01/2018

How to Cite

Chang, BA, A. H., R. Bega, MBBS Candidate, and E. B. Hsu, MD, MPH. “Push-to-Talk Apps for Disaster Communications: Hurricane Season Brings Technology Adaptation”. American Journal of Disaster Medicine, vol. 13, no. 3, July 2018, pp. 161-7, doi:10.5055/ajdm.2018.0297.

Issue

Section

Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)