On Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15 and 16, 2013, SDSU conducted a special research project to help San Diego develop a crisis communication network that can help when a disaster or crisis strikes. inewsource was asked to take part in the training.

Geologists, researchers, trauma counselors, journalists, students and a representative of the Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma discussed science and communication and conducted virtual earthquake simulations.

It was clear that a comprehensive plan of action must be in place when the big one hits. Experts in the room emphasized that it’s not a matter of “if” but “when.”

inewsource would like to continue the conversation and expand it. To begin, we’re passing along some valuable information from the training to anyone interested. Below we’ve listed smartphone apps, social media resources and emergency action plans for the city relevant to earthquakes.

Please take some time to familiarize yourself with the tools, and feel free to pass along any additional information or resources to Brad Racino by email at bradracino@inewsource.org or by phone at (619) 594-3569.

Smartphone apps

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Disaster Alert by Pacific Disaster Center

Provides a listing and an interactive map of Active Hazards occurring around the globe. Additional information and reports about hazards can be viewed and shared.

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ArcGIS by ESRI

Tap the map, or use your current location and discover information about what you see. You can query the map, search and find interesting information, measure distances and areas of interest, and share maps with others. Find community hosted maps.

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iGDACS by European Commission

iGDACS provides near real-time information about natural disasters and gives the possibility to send back information in the form of a geo-located image and/or text.

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The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS) is a cooperation framework between the United Nations, the European Commission and disaster managers worldwide to improve alerts and information exchange. iGDACS is intended to tap the abundant information about disasters available from people who actually experience them. Reports of the iGDACS users are used to improve the overall situational picture.

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myFault by Center for Investigative Reporting

myFault uses official maps of seismic hazards in California to help you identify the dangers your home, school or workplace could face during an earthquake.

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QuakeFeed by Artisan Global LLC

The app displays earthquakes from the past 7 days with a magnitude > 2.5 on a map or in list. A variety of filter and sort options are provided. The app is location aware so you can find quakes that are closest to you. It features Twitter, Facebook, and email integration.

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QuakeWatch by LateNightProjects

The latest information on earthquakes from around the world! Using feeds from multiple sources including the US Geological Survey and the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, as well as Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and Italy, learn of magnitude 1.0 and greater earthquakes that have occurred around the world over the past week.

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Earthquake by American Red Cross by American Red Cross

Get notified when an earthquake occurs, prepare your family and home, find help and let others know you are safe even if the power is out – a must have for anyone who lives in an earthquake-prone area or has loved ones who do.

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