In an emergency you’ll need to provide and receive help, and after it’s
over, you’ll have to return, repair, and rebuild. Central to all this
is communication and documentation. Our society loves red tape,
especially after disasters. Below are 50 ways the camera phone can be
used in an emergency to document, record, and relay important
information.
Any camera could be used for some of these things, but the phonecam
carries a distinct advantage. It can immediately transmit your
pictures. If you don’t have a phonecam, go with what you have, or what
you can afford. Disposable cameras and digital cameras are acceptable.
However, the phonecam rules, so let’s look at ways yours can be used in
an emergency. These are excerpts from “Disaster Prep 101”.
1. Last minute child ID. Whenever the family might be separated, take
last-minute pictures of all family members, especially the kids, and
pets.
2. Send a map. To send or receive directions to or from a location when
voice directions aren’t working, draw a map on paper, take a picture,
and send.
3. Injury photos to the doctor. Suppose help isn’t available, and
someone’s sick or injured. If there are visible signs or symptoms,
relay pictures to medical personnel who can walk you through whatever
treatment is possible where you are.
4. Damage documentation. In catastrophes, it’ll be days before
insurance adjusters get there to file claims. Photo all damage in case
some of it gets repaired or cleaned up before agents arrive.
5. Report suspicious activity. If you see suspicious activity in your
neighborhood, upload pictures of suspects and the situation to the
Police immediately.
6. “Here’s the landmark.” Gathering the family is critical. If you
don’t have a fixed meeting place, send pictures of where and what
you’re near so others can find you. This also works well if you’re lost
in the wilderness and need to relay pictures of landmarks.
7. “Meet us here.” If you have a fixed rendezvous point, send a pic you
already have on file, so others will know where to meet. Take these
photos while compiling your family emergency plan.
8. Photo shopping list. When stocking up in anticipation of an
emergency, take a picture of your pantry as a quick shopping list.
9. Driving directions. If you’re trying to tell others where a certain
location is, send a picture by picture set of directions. Create this
file while assembling your family reaction plan.
10. “Meet this person.” If your family evacuates, and they know where
to go, but haven’t met the family contact person, send them a picture
of the person they’re to meet, or send that person pictures of the
people heading their way.
11. Last minute property inventory. If you’re evacuating, snap quick
shots of your property to include purchases not on your last home
inventory, and the current condition of your property.
12. “Adventure” journal. Take pictures to record what you do, where you go, and people you meet during an evacuation, etc.
13. Situational severity. In a large-scale emergency, first responders
will be overworked. They might not be available for a “minor
situation.” However, the situation might be worse than they understand,
and you might need serious help. Send a picture of how bad things are.
14. Quick text messaging. You might not have time to type a message,
and the lines might not be open long enough for a conversation. Write a
note on paper, take a picture, and send that.
15. Minor traffic mishap. In a minor fender-bender, with no injuries or
disabled vehicles, most jurisdictions will tell you to “swap info and
move along.” If that’s the case (always call 911 to make sure), photo
the vehicular damage, people involved, witnesses at the scene (and
their car tag numbers), and of others involved in the accident to show
their injuries (or lack thereof).
16. Wallet backup. Take pictures of your wallet’s contents (or
important documents) to record numbers, and show that cards are or were
in your possession. Be careful with this info as it’s very sensitive
and can be used for identity theft!
17. Inclement weather reporting. If you’re the first to see the funnel
cloud, hail, or a river overflowing, send a picture to the weather
service or authorities as rapid proof an emergency is developing.
18. First Responder intel. The more first responders know about a
collapsed house, an auto accident, a fire in progress, or any other
emergency, the more rapid and appropriate a reaction they can make.
19. Missing persons. Send picture of picture. In addition to last
minute family photos, send a picture of a photograph in your purse or
wallet of a missing family member.
20. Relay property damage to or from neighbors. After a disaster,
whoever goes home first, either you or your neighbors, could photograph
area damage and relay info to the other.
21. Help insurance adjusters find your property. After a devastating
incident, street signs will be gone, house numbers won’t be visible,
etc. Take current pictures of landmarks or unique damage near or at
your property to make it easier to find you.
22. Copy bulletin boards. If you’re in an emergency shelter, and
there’s an info bulletin board, you’ll need the info but might not be
able to write it down. Take a picture!
23. Bus, subway, or city map. If you’re anywhere you’re not familiar
with and there’s a posted map, take a picture of it for later reference
if you get lost.
24. Document your route. When traveling to a new area, and you want to
find your way back, take pictures along the way of landmarks at turns
you make, forks in the road, etc.
25. Record medicines or food brands. To relay information about
medications, or if you have special dietary needs and are sending
information regarding certain brands to someone, a picture really is
worth a thousand words.
26. Parking spot locations. Don’t trust your memory, trust a picture.
Take a pic of where you left your vehicle either in a lot or in a
parking deck.
27. Engine repairs. Should you break down and your vehicle shows
outward signs of problems such as steam shooting from a hose, or
liquids dripping from the engine, send a pic to a mechanic who may talk
you through a quick fix.
28. Business or service function and hours. Copy posted business hours
or listed service functions (and pricing) for later review and recall.
This is also a good way to report price gouging.
29. Child custodian. If you can’t get to your kids at school or other
function, relay a picture of the person who is coming to pick them up.
Send this picture to the school or function, and to your child (if they
have a phonecam).
30. Info on injured or hospitalized people. You might be in a position
to send pictures to people looking for loved ones or vice-versa.
31. Hotel room number. Whenever you get a hotel room, take a picture to
find your way back. Photo the room number on the door, and the name of
the motel and adjacent buildings.
32. ID your evac gear. As with all belongings, take a picture to prove
ownership. This might come in handy with theft in emergency shelters.
It’s a rare occurrence, but be ready to prove things are yours.
33. Photo scavenger hunt. You’ll need something to entertain the kids.
Give them a short list of things they should take a picture of. First
one to take all the pictures wins!
34. Identify the close-up. Another idea is to take a really close up
picture of something while the kids aren’t looking, and have them
figure out what it is.
35. Document your whereabouts. Let’s say looting or rioting is
occurring. You can help Police by secretively taking pictures of the
perpetrators (not really recommended for safety reasons), or take
pictures as you’re leaving to document the fact you weren’t involved.
36. ID the rescuer. If a rescuer is picking up your child or pet, photo
the rescuer (and the child or pet) and the vehicle they used.
Photograph their name tag as well as registration numbers on
helicopters, vehicle tag numbers, or names of boats.
37. Document your cleanup. It may be a while before your insurance
adjuster can arrive. Take pictures of the damage as you found it, and
steps you took during cleanup. Regarding insurance, NOTHING beats
documentation!
38. Document expenditures. If you buy goods or supplies, rent
equipment, or hire a service, in addition to receipts, photograph the
goods acquired, equipment being used, services being performed, and the
people involved.
39. Property pics for retrieval companies. Some scenarios will see you
unable to return home. Some companies are trained and equipped to go
into these areas to gather people’s belongings. Property photos will
allow you to identify specific items you’d like retrieved.
40. Evacuee status. Authorities will want to know who is injured, dead,
or missing, and who is okay and where they are. Taking pictures of
those you meet along with way, or at your emergency shelter, will help
ID the living and well.
41. Language barriers. Ever try to find the restroom in a foreign
country and you didn’t know the phrase? Imagine how guests in our
country feel in emergency situations. Pictures make communication
easier, whether you’re trying to understand their needs, or relay
yours.
42. Transmit road conditions. Let’s say after a hurricane, you’re one
of the first families returning home, and you’re taking back roads.
Authorities (or others following) might not have checked every avenue
of return. If damage needs to be reported, or there’s no damage (report
that too), sending a picture can relay tons of information.
43. Relay traffic conditions. If family members are separated, or
heading different directions, pass along traffic conditions or info
from traffic warning signs.
44. Crime scene evidence. People have returned to a home undamaged by a
disaster, but later looted. Since Police might not be able to show up
right away, take “crime scene” photos (for both Police and insurance).
45. Too much on the screen? Should the TV flash pertinent information
and you don’t have time to write, or there’s a lot of text on a
computer and you can’t print it, take a picture of the screen for later
review.
46. ID for doctors or pharmacies. Medical needs are a real probability
during an emergency. Since you can’t get to your doctor, and they might
phone in a prescription to a pharmacy that doesn’t know either of you,
use your phone to verify your identity to your doctor, and your doctor
can relay the picture to the pharmacy.
47. Emergency supply information. Suppose a developing emergency finds
you low on goods and you send different people to different supply
locations. If supplies are low, these folks can send a picture of the
types or brands of items available so you can make educated purchase
decisions.
48. “Last Minute List” items and shutdown. Though everyone should keep
a “bugout kit” packed and ready, there will be items which cannot be
packed in advance. In addition to a written list, create a photo file
showing items you need to take (and their location) and steps to secure
the house before leaving.
49. Evac atlas. Create a “travel atlas” of emergency assets available
along evacuation routes. Include lodging, ATM locations, emergency
rooms, etc. Travel the routes and take photos, or draw maps and shoot
those.
50. Reaction plan for the reading disabled. If a family member suffers
from any reading disability, using photos is a must. Create a photo
file that will relay your entire emergency plan without using text.mes
of boats.
37. Document your cleanup. It may be a while before your insurance
adjuster can arrive. Take pictures of the damage as you found it, and
steps you took during cleanup. Regarding insurance, NOTHING beats
documentation!
38. Document expenditures. If you buy goods or supplies, rent
equipment, or hire a service, in addition to receipts, photograph the
goods acquired, equipment being used, services being performed, and the
people involved.
39. Property pics for retrieval companies. Some scenarios will see you
unable to return home. Some companies are trained and equipped to go
into these areas to gather people’s belongings. Property photos will
allow you to identify specific items you’d like retrieved.
40. Evacuee status. Authorities will want to know who is injured, dead,
or missing, and who is okay and where they are. Taking pictures of
those you meet along with way, or at your emergency shelter, will help
ID the living and well.
41. Language barriers. Ever try to find the restroom in a foreign
country and you didn’t know the phrase? Imagine how guests in our
country feel in emergency situations. Pictures make communication
easier, whether you’re trying to understand their needs, or relay yours.
42. Transmit road conditions. Let’s say after a hurricane, you’re one
of the first families returning home, and you’re taking back roads.
Authorities (or others following) might not have checked every avenue
of return. If damage needs to be reported, or there’s no damage (report
that too), sending a picture can relay tons of information.
43. Relay traffic conditions. If family members are separated, or
heading different directions, pass along traffic conditions or info
from traffic warning signs.
44. Crime scene evidence. People have returned to a home undamaged by a
disaster, but later looted. Since Police might not be able to show up
right away, take “crime scene” photos (for both Police and insurance).
45. Too much on the screen? Should the TV flash pertinent information
and you don’t have time to write, or there’s a lot of text on a
computer and you can’t print it, take a picture of the screen for later
review.
46. ID for doctors or pharmacies. Medical needs are a real probability
during an emergency. Since you can’t get to your doctor, and they might
phone in a prescription to a pharmacy that doesn’t know either of you,
use your phone to verify your identity to your doctor, and your doctor
can relay the picture to the pharmacy.
47. Emergency supply information. Suppose a developing emergency finds
you low on goods and you send different people to different supply
locations. If supplies are low, these folks can send a picture of the
types or brands of items available so you can make educated purchase
decisions.
48. “Last Minute List” items and shutdown. Though everyone should keep
a “bugout kit” packed and ready, there will be items which cannot be
packed in advance. In addition to a written list, create a photo file
showing items you need to take (and their location) and steps to secure
the house before leaving.
49. Evac atlas. Create a “travel atlas” of emergency assets available
along evacuation routes. Include lodging, ATM locations, emergency
rooms, etc. Travel the routes and take photos, or draw maps and shoot
those.
50. Reaction plan for the reading disabled. If a family member suffers
from any reading disability, using photos is a must. Create a photo
file that will relay your entire emergency plan without using text.
