On February 23, 2012 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the winners of a contest they sponsored that challenged software application developers to design a new Facebook app that could be used by people for personal emergency preparedness.
Winning Team ALP developed an app called, “Lifeline” which allows users to designate three FB friends who can be counted upon during an emergency as contacts, ongoing communication with them and other people in their social network, and to provide shelter, food and other necessities.
The app will also help FB friends collaborate on tracking users in a disaster, to inform people about the location and status of the individual, assist in finding missing people and print cards with snapshots.
The new app is expected to launch in the spring of 2012.
To read the press release issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, go to www.hhs.gov.