Social networking may finally come of age as something truly beneficial.
University of Maryland researchers Ben Shneiderman and Jennifer Preece outlined a proposal last week for the development of a socially networked 911 center that could serve as a “community response grid” in the event of a flood, heat wave or other emergency.
Shneiderman was inspired to create an online 911 center after searching for resources online last year and finding no way for citizens to report emergency situations online.
During Hurricane Katrina, he said, online communication might have enabled people to find more ways to get out of the city and have saved lives.
The proposed site would allow users to post pictures and text during a disaster and provide emergency responders with quick information.
“The [current] phone system functions very well for heart attacks or accidents … but when you have major events like a flood, an ice storm or a terrorist attack, then the small number of people answering those phones can’t handle those calls,” he remarked. “The Internet is more scalable. If you are in or near an area where there are floods, hurricanes or an E. coli outbreak … you might report an incident that would be useful to others.”
Bolstered by statistics that seven million people have registered to receive Amber alerts about missing children, Shneiderman believes Americans would be receptive of this digital spin on neighbors helping neighbors. “There are certain members of the community who care about issues and are ready to get involved when things are happening,” he said. “There is also good evidence that shows … that these kind of electronic networks can generate local action and local engagement that continues offline.”
The National Science Foundation is currently considering funding a test of the 911.gov concept on the University of Maryland Campus.