| Abstract: | Researchers have found that disasters often devastate key community infrastructures leading to obstructions in communication (e.g., Bostian et al., 2002). Although Rebmann, Carrico, and English (2008) found that communication is vital to successful disaster preparedness and response, they noted that maintaining communication prior to, during, and after times of disaster is extremely difficult. However, it appears that disaster communication may be enhanced through novel uses of new and existing technology resources. The purpose of this article is to highlight how commonly used personal technology tools have been or might be utilized in novel ways to enhance disaster communication. Furthermore, it is hoped that the novel applications discussed may be used to help buffer against the short-term and long-term traumatic effects of disasters related to obstructions in communication. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved) |
