New disaster phone app on the cards

A new phone application is being developed to help people survive natural disasters.

The app will provide people with access to emergency information including details about a natural disaster at their location and assist emergency services in locating people in trouble.

Researchers at the University of Queensland are developing the technology, with project manager Anthony Frangi saying the app will be targeted at young people.

"While radio and television is a traditional method for getting information out to people about emergency situations, young people aged under 25 do not listen to radio extensively and so are at risk of not being informed if an emergency situation develops," Mr Frangi said in a statement on Monday.

"Mobile phones, however, are used extensively by youth and can be a vital form of communication during natural disasters."

Mr Frangi said he hoped to develop the phone app to be a two-way communication system to assist emergency services to locate people in trouble and provide a portal for phone users to report on situations to emergency services.

"Using existing mobile-phone technology we hope to incorporate the ability to inform emergency services, family and friends where the person is located using GPS technology and allow them to also keep track of family and friends around them," Mr Frangi said."

In February, the researchers will begin a survey of young people to understand the services they need, the technology they are currently using, and to help determine the best way to reach most people during times of natural disasters.

The application, which will be compatible with popular smart phones, is due to be released in November next year.

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