Google Public Alerts

During a crisis, individuals go online to search for the latest emergency information. Google has created a platform to disseminate relevant emergency alerts to users when and where they’re searching for them. Public Alerts are available on Search, Maps and Google Now. Learn More

Resources

Google Public Alerts homepage - See all alerts

Google Public Alerts Overview [pdf]

CAP and Google Public Alerts overview [pdf]

CAP information - Read about CAP 1.2

CAP Library - Get tips on implementing CAP

CAP Validator tool - Ensure your feeds work

Alert Hub - Submit to our alert syndication service

Google Person Finder

Following a crisis, people often get separated, and responders play a role in helping people locate one another. Google Person Finder, launched by the Google Crisis Response team, helps with this process by providing an open platform for individuals and organizations to let people know who they’re looking for and to enter updates about missing persons. As an organization you can:

• Embed Google Person Finder in your website to allow people to directly access and use the tool
• Download data from Google Person Finder to match with your information or take to the field
• Upload data you’ve collected into Google Person Finder

Case studies

Rie Kawai and Aki Kohata used Google Person Finder to locate their missing grandfather [video]

Toshiko Ayano found 5 relatives following the Japan Earthquake [pdf]

Resources

Google Person Finder overview

Person Finder developer code site

Custom Google Maps

While many people are familiar with Google Maps for finding directions, responders can also easily create custom Google maps when they need to supply critical crisis information to their teams or to the public. Use custom Google Maps to:

• Mark crisis information such as road closures and resources such as emergency medical stations
• Draw lines and shapes to highlight paths and areas that are covered in debris
• Add your own text, photos, and videos to provide context
• Share your map with co-workers, media outlets, and partners. Control whether it’s available publicly, or privately within your network.
• Import KML, KMZ, and RSS formatted data into your map, to host on Google’s servers and share broadly

Case study

David Knight created a custom Google Map to share information during the New Zealand Earthquake [pdf]

KPBS used a custom Google Map to provide real-time updates on the San Diego wildfires

Resources

Creating Custom Maps

Google Maps APIs

Using Google Map Maker to add to Google Maps

The CrisisMap FAQ

Google Earth

Google Earth is a virtual globe and geographical information platform. See the places you are working in or traveling to in great geographic detail. Customize Google Earth with editing tools to draw shapes, add text, and integrate live feeds of information such as earthquakes as they happen. Use Google Earth to:

• Compare pre- and post-disaster images of an impacted location
• Explore the places you are working through the many information layers built into Google Earth, or through files (KMLs) that you download from the Gallery or other websites
• Add markers and customize them with text, photos, and videos - only you can see the things you add until you save them as a KML file and share them with others

Case studies

International Medical Corps tracked response efforts in Google Earth during the Haiti Earthquake [video] [pdf]

Doctors without Borders visualized cholera case origins during the Haiti Earthquake [pdf]

Resources

Download Google Earth

Google Earth tutorials

Google Earth for Enterprise

Earth Outreach for Nonprofits

Google Fusion Tables

Gather, visualize and share data online with your staff and other response organizations and constituents. Use Google Fusion Tables to:

• Visualize your data from shelter lists to power outages instantly as a map or a chart.
• Identify data patterns to aid in crisis decision making
• Show the world your work in real time by embedding your map or chart in a web page
• Collaborate with other responders by merging your data, allowing you to see all important related information in one place

Examples

Map of the London riots showing English indices of deprivation and riot locations

Map of Japanese Tsunami road status

Resources

Fusion Tables tutorials

Fusion Tables APIs

Google Docs and Spreadsheets

Create, collaborate, and continually update critical information online from any computer at any point in time. Use Google Docs to:

• Share and collaborate in real time with volunteers, co-workers, and partner organizations, eliminating the need to email updated attachments back and forth
• Safely store your work where it’s not vulnerable to a damaged or left-behind laptop
• Edit and access online, from anywhere, at any time

Case studies

Americorps tracked volunteers using Google Spreadsheets following the Joplin tornado [video] [pdf]

Inveneo uses Google Docs to collaborate with partners across time zones and geographies [pdf]

Resources

Google Docs Getting Started Guide

Google Spreadsheets Getting Started Guide

Google volunteer form template

Ready.gov Family Emergency plan template

Google Sites

Easily create and update a website with critical response information from anywhere at any time. You can display a variety of important information in one place—including forms to collect information, videos of the crisis, photos of the devastation, and maps that illustrate resources. Use Google Sites to:

• Create a simple website quickly without having to hire a web developer or know any HTML programming
• Customize the look and feel of your site to show it’s from your organization
• Create sub-pages to keep your content organized and easy for viewers to locate
• Protect your information by keeping your site as private or public as you'd like

Case study

Save the Children creates websites and determines which content is available to which audiences using Google Sites[pdf]

Resources

Google Sites Getting Started Guide

Google Sites overview video