Crisis Informatics

Crisis Informatics is the name of an article by Mike Byrne and Colin Whitmore of ICF International, published in the February 2008 issue of IAEM Bulletin. Understanding how people communicate surrounding a disaster is crucial to ensuring the timely distribution of information for preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. In the technology-driven society we live in, we are beginning to rely less on traditional forms of media and more on self-policing communities of information gatherers. Look no further than Facebook or Wikipedia for proof. Researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder have named this science "Crisis Informatics," and it is actively changing how we think of disaster communications. This article sheds some light on the subject and encourages emergency management professionals to adapt to these changes sooner rather than later.

This information was shared by Carolyn Wixson, ICF.