Students Create Earthquake iPhone App

What should you do if an earthquake hits? Consult your iPhone.

An “earthquake-friendly” iPhone application developed by six Simon Fraser University Management of Technology MBA students is now available free online through the Apple iTunes store.

QuakeAware is the first and only iPhone application that focuses on what to do in the event of an earthquake.

“Our team was challenged with developing a product or service that benefits our community through inov8.ca, SFU’s social innovation website,” says student Ryan Cole, whose team includes Kelvin Chiu, Dylan Marks, Donal De Paor, Terrence Tam and Eliza Yiu.

“The recent catastrophes in Haiti and Chile reminded us that an earthquake could strike anytime, anywhere. In our survey of Richmond residents, 89 per cent of respondents felt they were not adequately prepared for an earthquake.”

In addition to their local perspective — they all live in Richmond — the team was also inspired by a U.S. filmmaker and Haiti earthquake victim who was able to use first-aid apps on his iPhone to treat his injuries until he could be rescued.

QuakeAware consolidates the key information people need to be prepared for an earthquake. It includes a survival-kit checklist, basic first-aid information and steps for shutting off gas lines and other actions to keep one’s home safe.

The application’s “My City” section contains location-specific emergency information such as relief centers, emergency routes and contact numbers.

The team has collected information for Richmond and is working on Vancouver, with plans to add other jurisdictions in the Lower Mainland and beyond.

“The value of the iPhone application,” says Cole, “is that all of this information is downloaded and saved on your phone, so even if internet and phone connections are unavailable, you have it with you wherever you are.

Check out the team’s earthquake preparedness website, www.quakeaware.org.