Flight 1549 Crash - A Testament to the Effectiveness of Emergency E-mails

The US Airways Flight 1549 crash water landing in the Hudson River last week was a scary event, but the rescue efforts were very well coordinated. Bystanders, commercial ferry boats, and trained rescuers responded quickly and effectively to pull the passengers out of the water and ff of the wings of the sinking plane, keep them warm and dry, and bring them back to dry land.

It is a clear example of the power of technology, as several volunteers and health experts were mobilized by a single emergency e-mail. Sussex County Chapter American Red Cross volunteers were notified by an emergency e-mail to be on stand-by to open an emergency shelter for crash victims and their families. Within 15 minutes, 12 disaster services volunteers responded, ready to be deployed to help if necessary.

Reaching these volunteers, who were trained and willing to work, was an essential part of the rescue efforts. Finding a place for shelter, organizing an accountability post, and rounding up enough food, blankets and counselors is no easy task. But with the instant notification and quick response, the Red Cross was ready to help, just as everyone expected they would be. For an organization that relies on it's reputation for instant response and dependability, emergency messaging capabilites are absolutely essential.