Disaster Communication and Resources

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

• Disaster Distress Helplineopens in new window
  The Disaster Distress Helpline is a free, confidential helpline staffed 24/7 by trained counselors from a network of crisis call centers located across the United States.

Federal Communications Commission

• How to Communicate During a Natural Disaster Emergencyopens in new window
  Tips on the best way to communicate during a natural disaster emergency.

Ready.gov

• Social Medial Preparedness Toolkitsopens in new window
  Toolkits for natural disasters, preparedness, and the community. Toolkits consist of specialized messaging, hashtags, and outreach materials for sharing.

FEMA

• Know Your Alerts and Warnings (PDF, 1.74MB)opens in new window
  A fact sheet with information about online, radio, and television warning systems.
• Get Tech Readyopens in new window
  Information on how to be best prepared and tech ready for emergencies. This page also details how you can sign up for FEMA alerts and text message updates to help you before an emergency even happens.

U.S. Forest Service

• Active Fire Mapping Programopens in new window
  Provides a map of current large incidents in the United States.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

• National Hurricane Center Online Trackeropens in new window
  This website allows for tracking of hurricanes and storms on the Atlantic and Pacific in real time.

American Red Cross

• Red Cross Mobile Appsopens in new window
  Provides information on a wide range of medical emergencies and natural disasters.

FEMA

• Mobile Appopens in new window
  Receive alerts, get safety reminders, locate open shelters and where to talk to FEMA in person, or share disaster photos to help first responders.

National Center for PTSD

• PFA Mobile App
  Following disasters or emergencies, the PFA Mobile app can assist responders who provide Psychological First Aid (PFA) to adults, families, and children.
  
  Free PFA Mobile download from: iTunesopens in new window (iOS) | Google Playopens in new window (Android)

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

• Help Kids Copeopens in new window
  The app helps parents talk to their kids about disasters and how parents can best support them throughout certain situations such as sheltering-in-place, evacuating to a designated shelter, or helping families reunite. Parents can learn what to do before, during, and after 10 different types of disasters and know what to say “in the moment” to support kids of all ages.

SAMHSA

• SAMHSA Disaster Mobile Appopens in new window
  The app includes resources for any type of traumatic event, preparedness materials, and the ability to share resources easily.

New England Journal of Medicine

• Integrating Social Media into Emergency-Preparedness Effortsopens in new window
  This article discusses how social media is being used as a communication tool in disaster response.

Merchant, R. M., Elmer, S., & Lurie, N. (2011). Integrating social media into emergency-preparedness efforts. The New England Journal of Medicine, 365(4), 289–291. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMp1103591