Hello everyone,
In honor of Emergency Preparedness Month, we wanted to call out 2 newly updated resources developed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The Show Me for Emergencies and the Show Me for Emergencies: FAC apps are 2 free mobile and tablet apps that help emergency responders communicate with individuals that don't speak English, are deaf, or have cognitive disabilities. Read on for detailed descriptions of each app and links to download them!
Show Me for Emergencies on Google Play store
Show Me for Emergencies on iTunes App Store
Show Me for Emergencies: FAC on Google Play store
Show Me for Emergencies: FAC on iTunes App Store
Show Me for Emergencies is an essential free app for emergency workers and people with communication needs — like difficulty understanding English, hearing impairments, and cognitive disabilities. It uses easy-to-understand icons for two-way communication during an emergency. The app is available on Google Play and iTunes App stores.
In a crisis, first responders and first receivers need to give information to and gather it from disaster victims. Show Me for Emergencies will help. Just pass the phone or tablet back and forth to show exactly what you mean.
Tailored icons for Emergency Shelters, Emergency Dispensing Sites (also called Points of Dispensing or PODs), Sheltering-in-Place, and Evacuating help emergency workers give clear directions. General communication icons for medical needs, personal needs, and feelings and support give people a way to express what they need — and help workers gather important information.
- Communicate quickly during an emergency with a research-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tool
- Overcome language barriers with clear, understandable icons
- Use the app even without mobile phone service or WiFi
Show Me for Emergencies: FAC is a communication tool designed for workers in a family assistance center (FAC) after a mass casualty or mass fatality incident. Use it to connect with people who may have trouble expressing their needs — like non-English speakers, people with hearing impairments or cognitive disabilities, and family members coping with intense stress. The app is available on the Google Play and iTunes App stores.
Following a mass casualty or fatality event, like a natural disaster or a plane crash, family members will need support and information about missing loved ones. This free app will help you gather information from and provide it to family members. The app offers a combination of translated text and audio messages and easy-to-understand icons. In an FAC, both family members and workers are under stress — good communication is essential. Let Show Me for Emergencies FAC make it easier.
Use the app to:
- Translate icons and important audio messages into 11 different languages
- Overcome communication barriers with clear, understandable icons
- Help visitors understand what an FAC is and prepare them for the antemortem interview
- Gather information about missing persons
- Communicate quickly with a research-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tool
- Read specialized "Staff Tips" that will help guide you through conversations with upset and traumatized family members
- "Star" important icons as you use the app, then review them all in "My Icons" to recap your conversation
- Save time, reduce confusion, and earn trust during an emergency
- Use the app even without mobile phone service or WiFi
Comments
Dear Ana:
Thanks for posting this. I ran through the screens that help someone describe a person who is missing and found that it had an easy to follow progression. Do you think we can anticipate that emergency responders are using apps like this? The reason I ask is that I would like to encourage teachers to share that information with others, especially students learning English, students who are deaf or hard of hearing, etc.
Cynthia
Hi Cynthia,
Thanks for your thoughtful response! We know some emergency responders have downloaded and are using this (especially in Massachusetts), but we would encourage anyone who has communication challenges (those learning English, those hard of hearing, etc.) to download the apps, since they are free, so they can use them to communicate with emergency responders in case of emergency. We designed these to be 2-way communication tools as much as possible, to account for this.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Ana
Hi Ana:
Of course! I am resending your intro and links, Ana, in case teachers would like to think about them as learning and skill development with their students..
Cynthia
The Show Me for Emergencies and the Show Me for Emergencies: FAC apps are 2 free mobile and tablet apps that help emergency responders communicate with individuals that don't speak English, are deaf, or have cognitive disabilities. Read on for detailed descriptions of each app and links to download them!
Show Me for Emergencies on Google Play store
Show Me for Emergencies on iTunes App Store
Show Me for Emergencies: FAC on Google Play store
Show Me for Emergencies: FAC on iTunes App Store
Ana, thanks for sharing this information. Our Adult Ed program ahs a strong training component to prepare health workers for entry-level jobs. Would you like me to share this information on our Adult Ed listserv, which reaches Adult Ed programs in the state? Leecy