Communication is key.

“We’re almost there,” says Bob Nelson, Founder of the Emergency Management Macintosh User Group, who is currently evaluating the iBook for just such a scenario. A subset of the National Disaster Communication Response Team (NDCRT), the group intends to provide technology and communication support to other emergency response agencies.

When disaster strikes, the stakes are high. Confusion can result in loss of life. Nelson, a seasoned damage assessment officer for the American Red Cross, has often witnessed a lack of communication and understanding among emergency agencies responding onsite.

“Nobody’s really sure what anyone else is doing,” explains Nelson, “and they don’t know what resources are available through the various organizations. So my vision was to provide on-scene emergency support via two-way radio communications, computer communications, and networking services to foster a spirit of understanding among organizations.”