High Tech with a Human Touch:Providing Disaster Relief with Technology

Ted ThompsonResponse Technology Manager

American Red CrossSan Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter

Who We Are

• Humanitarian Organization led by volunteers• Guided by a Congressional Charter• Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross• Help People Prevent, Prepare for and Respond to

Emergencies

What we do

• Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES)• Biomedical Services• Community Services• Disaster Services• Health and Safety• International Services

How we do it

• Planning and Coordination with Federal, State and Local Agencies

• Partnering with other Non-profit Organizations• Volunteers• Donations• Technology

Barriers

• Internal and External• People and Training

– “Granny Factor”

• Transportation of Resources• Environment• Funding

Community Response Cycle

Five Constituents

Scaling of Disasters

Communications

• Voice • Video• Data• Last Mile

Scaling Technology

• Small (Disaster Assessment, Client Outreach, Warehouse)

• Medium (Shelter, Small Disaster Operations, Small Service Center)

• Large (Large Shelter, Service Center, Call Center)

Conclusion

• People• Process• Technology