Crisis Essentials
I was tasked with creating a user-friendly online platform that helps individuals and organizations identify, prepare for, and respond to hazardous and emergent disasters. The platform will offer a range of resources and tools to help users assess their risk level and vulnerability to disasters, create customized emergency plans, and access real-time information and alerts during a crisis. It will also provide information on how to protect personal and community assets, as well as how to access assistance and support.
The platform must be accessible and easy to use for all users, regardless of their level of expertise or familiarity with disaster planning. It must also be reliable and trustworthy, drawing on credible sources of information and expert guidance.
Before doing any work, we wanted to ensure that a crisis intervention tool was needed in our society. Through an impact report, we identified that it is needed. Also, we looked at user pain points from current crisis resources via analyzation through ChatGPT. We then performed a SWOT analysis of high-profile crisis resources, where we found that a new crisis intervention tool is needed.
After performing the competitive analysis, we clarified the problem that we are solving with our solution. Still before doing any design, we narrowed down our use cases and design principles that our application would be founded on.
As we started to think about design, we adopted the feature narrative and target flow for our users. After spending some time adapting those, we used Figma to develop the high-fidelity prototype. We have not completed user testing on the first draft but clearly define our next steps.
A visual representation of the platform, including a user flow and wireframes for the main features and pages, and a branding and visual identity for the platform.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to prepare for all types of disaster or emergency. According to the chart displayed, a large amount of Americans have been personally affected by circumstances of natural disasters. The United States has done very little in preparation for upcoming disasters.
Not to mention that most Americans have little to no precautions for most emergency situations, e.g. active shooter, civil disorder, hazardous material accidents, etc. What do we do in these situations?
In these emergency scenarios, most
individuals will call their family or 9-1-1. For obvious reasons, 9-1-1 should still be the first course of action but with human interaction, there will not be a standard safety protocol. Having a calming intervention method in any scenario, disaster or emergency, ensures consistency, transparency, and preparedness.
The following are the core problems this product aims to solve:
Lack of knowledge about what to include in a disaster plan
Users may not know what types of information or resources should be included in a disaster plan, or may not be aware of all the potential risks and hazards that they should consider.
Limited time and resources
Developing a comprehensive disaster plan can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, and users may not have the necessary resources or bandwidth to complete the process.
Difficulty in getting buy-in from stakeholders
Users may struggle to get support and buy-in from other stakeholders (e.g., employees, family members, community leaders) when developing or implementing a disaster plan.
Complexity of the planning process
The process of identifying and prioritizing potential risks and hazards, and determining the appropriate response measures, can be complex and overwhelming for users.
Limited access to information
Users may have difficulty finding relevant information and resources to help them develop their disaster plan.
Lack of guidance and support
Users may feel uncertain about how to proceed with the disaster planning process, or may not have access to adequate guidance and support to help them navigate the process.
Citizen
Strengths: The app provides real-time alerts and information about emergencies and incidents in the user's area. It allows users to report crimes and other incidents directly to authorities.
Weaknesses: It relies on user-generated content, which could lead to misinformation or false reports.
Opportunities: It could integrate with other emergency response systems or tools, such as 911 or first responder dispatch systems.
Threats: Legal or regulatory challenges could arise, particularly around issues such as user privacy or liability for false reports.
Noggin
Strengths: It offers a range of features and functionality to support incident response and crisis management, including incident reporting, task management, and communication tools.
Weaknesses: It may require a learning curve or training to use effectively, which could be a barrier for some users.
Opportunities: Noggin could be used by a wide range of organizations that need to manage incidents or crises, such as government agencies, healthcare providers, and emergency responders.
Threats: Changes in technology or user preferences could make the software less relevant or appealing to users.
America does not have a human-centered, safety preparedness solution to meet the scary, vulnerable, and urgent needs of most people.
“I feel like someone is following me, what do I do?”
“I want my kids to know where the meeting location is if we have a house fire.”
“I just heard gun shots right outside my door.”
“I am scared to go home tonight. How do I talk to my partner about his abusive behavior?”
Simplicity
The app should be easy to use and understand, with a clear and straightforward interface.
Customization
The app should allow users to customize their emergency preparedness plans based on their
specific needs and circumstances.
Integration
The app should integrate with other emergency preparedness resources and systems, such as
local emergency alerts and response networks.
The app begins by prompting users to input their location and any specific risks or hazards they may face, such as hurricanes or risk of home invasion. Based on this information, the app generates a personalized emergency preparedness plan, including a checklist of supplies and actions to take in the event of an emergency or disaster.
The app also includes a feature for creating and storing emergency contact lists, as well as a feature for sending notifications to those contacts in the event of an emergency. It also includes a map of local emergency resources, such as evacuation centers and hospitals.
Users can set up custom alerts for specific types of emergencies or disasters, and the app will send push notifications to users' devices with relevant information and instructions. The app also includes a feature for creating and sharing emergency plans with others, such as family members or coworkers.
In addition to these features, the app includes a variety of educational resources, including tips for creating an emergency kit and guidance on how to stay safe during different types of disasters and emergencies.
This graphic follows the user's journey when adding a crisis plan to their main screen. There are multiple pieces that may be missing because of the complexity of every situation.
Please view the wireframes carefully. They have not been user tested and need to have feedback from a diverse group of users.
As dangerous and extreme as many scenarios that the users would be in, legal council would need to be in talks with the app. We should ensure that through all stages of creation, we include an individual that is knowledgeable in this type of law. It is imperative that we keep Americans safe and are thinking about all of the possible scenarios when creating.
User testing and feedback will be essential to, again, ensure the safety of users and that the app is going to be used to its full potential. Mock scenarios will need be to established and long periods of testing in all cases should be considered.
