Technology- Vital to the Red Cross

The Red Cross has been using technology since the beginning of its existence in 1881.  It started off with the high tech use of the telegraph and hasn't stopped since. 

circa 1881

Early phones first used in early 1900s

Newer satellite used to communicate disaster relief!

Phones still important today

They have used the telegraph, telephone, two-way radios,satellites, computer,cell phones, geographic positioning  technology and social media.  All of these technology developments help get their message of disaster relief out there to the general public.
As time has marched on and technology advanced the Red Cross has stayed with the times!  They have adapted!   
In 2007, American Red Cross Services started a pilot project aimed at streamlining its onsite disaster assessment process. The goals of the project were to evolve from its paper-based “street sheet” system of collecting dwelling damage details, to an electronic system that would allow for more rapid, accurate, and precise data collection (GIS LOUNGE, 2009). American Red Cross uses Trimble Technology and RDMS to speed hurricane disaster relief. This system is a build in GPS technology in the Trimble Nomad handheld's, which allows RDMS Collect to pull in GPS latitude and longitude, coordinates while the users collecting damage assessment data. Once the data is sent, there will be information regarding the location that can be used to perform spatial analysis on the data. RDMS Collaborate plots and the information on the map was collected in the field that provide critical information to volunteers to assess such as dwelling type; single family home, mobile home, apartment vs. the damage recorded, such as destroyed, major, or minor which are represented in certain color. This system helps eliminate time-consuming date entry from paper sheets, including any errors often time happened when hand written or misread map. 

In addition to these disaster adapatations, they have adapted  the way they work with people.  The Red Cross now allow volunteers to download applications online for disaster training.  According to "The American Red Cross" (2013), they require an online orientation.  They must also build a profile, agree to terms and get a background check all via the computer before they actually begin volunteering.  This is great use of technology to help them make the best use of their people to be in the field helping others!  Once approved and started they can log into a volunteer connection and view other volunteer opportunities that are available. 
They have been actively pursuing interaction in these venues since 2006-07

(http://i.dell.com/sites/content/shared-content/campaigns/en/Documents/DisasterTechTimeline_FINAL.PDF). 

According to Havenstein  (1994-2013),  "The organization has created an online newsroom powered by the WordPress blogging tool that is dedicated to providing information on flood damage. It also uses a Google Maps mashup to show where the organization is working. The Red Cross has also created a Twitter channel, a presence on online photo sharing site Flickr and a YouTube channel."  According to the same source all the tools are being used to tell the stories the Red Cross encounters.  They are fairly easy to use and have developed a wide following (1994-2013).  People who work for and volunteer at the Red Cross plus those that get interested in certain disasters all want to be part of the feed. on Twitter or facebook. 

According to the Social Engagement Handbook 2.0 put out  by the Red Cross Social Engagement team at national headquarters,  these tools allow Red Cross staff and volunteers to meet people where they spend much of their time in community .  It is a virtual community that many of us spend our time connecting with others in today.  They according to

Social Engagement Handbook 2.0 are seeking to develop people as Social Engagement Advocates and Social Engagements Specialists.  These are volunteers or current employees who pledge to use an hour of time to engage people on behalf of the Red Cross and promoting their mission.  The idea according to this source is to move your followers or those you engage on social media from bystanders to engaged instigators where they are involved and instigating change through the local Red Cross (2012).  
With these features and many more in place the use of technology and Web 2.0 tools is growing.  The Red Cross is an organization with a mission, a plan and the use of tools to make it happen! With the use of all this technology comes difficulties... this will be discussed in out next installment of this blog.  Stayed tuned... but please don't hold your breath!

References

American Red Cross. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.redcross.org/dc/washington/volunteer

Havenstein, H. (1994-2013). Computerworld- Red Cross Uses Web 2.0 to update disaster victims, and releif workers. Retrieved from http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9099498/Red_Cross_uses_Web_2.0_to_update_disaster_victims_relief_workers

Social Engagement Handbook 2.0. (2012). American Red Cross, (), All . Retrieved from http://redcrosschat.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/SocialEngagementHandbookv2.pdf

Retrieved from http://i.dell.com/sites/content/shared-content/campaigns/en/Documents/DisasterTechTimeline_FINAL.PDF

  American Red Cross Uses Trimble Technology and RDMS to Speed Hurricane Disaster Relief. (2009, August). GIS LOUNGE, (), . Retrieved from http://www.gislounge.com/case-study-american-red-cross-uses-trimble-technology-and-rdm...