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Interesting Links and Tips

I am always happy to search for interesting, innovative, and life-saving information, platforms, tools, and much more for you. 

Explore the world from a new perspective with OpenAltimetry!

Our planet is changing: glaciers are melting, sea ice is disappearing, and landscapes are transforming. OpenAltimetry opens a window onto these changes by making high-precision elevation data from NASA's ICESat and ICESat-2 missions freely available. Whether you're a scientist, environmentalist, or curious explorer, this platform gives everyone the opportunity to visualize data, identify patterns, and actively shape the future of our planet. Use OpenAltimetry and see for yourself how our Earth is changing—because knowledge is the key to change!

OpenAltimetry can also be a very valuable resource for your disaster and emergency management by providing accurate elevation data that is critical for risk assessment and decision-making.

What applications for disaster management am I thinking of?

Improve early warning systems

  • By analyzing changes in elevation, you can identify potential natural hazards such as glacier melt, landslides, or flooding at an early stage.
  • You can use existing sea ice data to monitor changes in the polar region and better understand their impact on extreme weather events.

Optimize flood and high water risk management

  • OpenAltimetry elevation data can also be used to analyze river levels and coastal elevations in order to assess flood risks.
  • Decision-makers can plan protective measures at an early stage and warn affected areas.

Documenting landscape changes

  • Changes in the elevation of glacier areas and mountain slopes could be used to record long-term environmental impacts and develop resilient structures for endangered communities.

Develop climate change adaptation and sustainability strategies

  • By analyzing changes in elevation over many years, authorities can identify where coastlines are receding or where desertification is occurring.
  • All this data helps governments and NGOs to design sustainable adaptation strategies for vulnerable regions.

Improve emergency planning and evacuation scenarios

We all know that in emergencies, EVERY minute counts – accurate topographical data is crucial for the speed and efficiency of rescue operations.

  • You can also use OpenAltimetry to analyze topographical escape routes and ensure that emergency routes in disaster areas are viable. OpenAltimetry provides highly accurate topographical elevation data that is essential for risk analysis.
  • By analyzing river and coastal elevations, it is possible to identify areas that are particularly at risk during heavy rainfall events or hurricanes. Slope gradients and elevation changes provide information about where unstable land structures are located and where preventive measures should be taken.
  • Critical water sources can be monitored over the long term to detect changes early and prevent water shortages.
  • Elevation profiles help plan evacuation routes that will not be blocked by floods or landslides, meaning that hospitals, fire stations, and police stations can be secured against natural hazards based on elevation data. The map-based elevation information can be integrated into GIS systems to provide emergency teams with real-time data.
  • OpenAltimetry also shows how rising sea levels are changing coastal regions so that targeted protective measures can be taken.
  • Vegetation heights and terrain data help identify potential fire sources early on and plan protective measures.
  • Water catchment areas can be analyzed to develop sustainable water supply systems.

The major advantages of this

  • Authorities could use it to update flood risk maps by leveraging the latest satellite data from OpenAltimetry to optimize their emergency plans and optimize protective measures for critical infrastructure, e.g., by adapting building regulations or prioritizing protective measures such Farmers could develop alternative planting methods or drainage systems at an early stage, and authorities could coordinate their aid programs for the affected areas even better by using data on vulnerable farmland. By combining OpenAltimetry data with other meteorological forecasts, emergency services could issue more accurate and targeted flood warnings to affected communities and develop location-based evacuation plans to inform vulnerable households at an early stage.
  • Cities could improve their disaster management plans by using OpenAltimetry data to place their assembly points and emergency shelters at safer elevations, e.g., by implementing elevated access roads or protective walls. I am also thinking of the protection of drinking water sources and supply facilities, such as waterworks, storage facilities, and sewage treatment plants. With the help of OpenAltimetry, cities can then optimize the location of water sources and reinforce vulnerable systems at an early stage to prevent contamination and possible failures. Consideration should also be given to evaluating industrial sites and hazardous material storage facilities such as chemical plants, oil refineries, and warehouses, preventing water contamination, ensuring a secure energy supply in emergencies, appropriate disaster-resistant construction planning, and securing hazardous substance transport routes in order to analyze high-risk locations at an early stage and develop appropriate protection concepts. The platform could also be used to plan flood-proof residential areas and better protect existing vulnerable neighborhoods through measures such as protective dikes and drainage systems.
  • NGOs could use satellite data from OpenAltimetry to develop sustainable agriculture strategies and better predict the effects of droughts.

With OpenAltimetry, you can develop a data-driven strategy to further minimize risks and better protect affected communities.

Integration into existing disaster control systems to take them to a new level

In order for OpenAltimetry to be used effectively, it is important to integrate it into existing monitoring and warning systems. The data could be linked to GIS systems such as ArcGIS or QGIS to perform detailed risk analyses. Drones with altitude sensors could then validate and supplement the satellite data. Authorities could also combine OpenAltimetry data with local weather and early warning systems to issue targeted alerts. For example, regional emergency managers could link OpenAltimetry to weather stations to send automatic flood warnings to residents in the region via text message or app.

Explore the platform

Helpful disaster management apps you should know about ... (Google Play or App Store)

Your smartphone is always with you – use it wisely! Warning apps are only part of the preparation, but it is your clarity, responsiveness, and correct decisions that can save your life and the lives of others. Be informed, be prepared, be safe! Knowledge alone is not enough – only those who apply it can truly protect themselves! The best disaster preparedness consists of up-to-date knowledge, practical experience, well-thought-out planning, and the right “tools.” Apps are a valuable aid, but real safety comes from preparation and action.

These apps offer a wide range of functions, from earthquake warnings and medical emergency assistance to global disaster alerts (here is just a small selection of the many valuable and life-saving apps available).

  • MyRadar Weather Radar
  • OnGuard Weather alerts
  • First Aid: American Red Cross
  • Disaster Alert
  • SirenGPS
  • Zello Walkie Talkie
  • Earthquake Alert
  • HazAdapt
  • FEMA App
  • KATWARN and NINA
  • Alertswiss
  • IT-Alert und Allarme Meteo IT
  • StormEye
  • LifeLine Response
  • Humanitarian Kiosk
  • Tsunami Alert
  • National Early Warning Release System
  • China Weather App
  • SGSecure App
  • myENV App
  • Noonlight
  • OKSION
  • EMERCOM of Russia App
  • VÉSZ App
  • Hungary Disaster Alert System and MeteoAlarm Hungary
  • Ukrainian Weather Alerts
  • 112 Ukraine
  • ICE Medical Standard
  • Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS) – Real-time alerts for earthquakes, tsunamis, and other global disasters.
  • Disaster Preparedness Guide – A comprehensive app with checklists and instructions for various disasters.
  • GardaWorld Crisis24 – Global safety alerts for travelers and businesses.
  • Help Me – SOS International – An app for fast emergency communication and location sharing
  • First Responder Support Tools (FiRST) – Supports emergency services in coordinating emergencies.


During my research, I came across the Lifebox by NeoRescue, which could save the lives of infants in the event of a fire. NeoRescue offers infant-specific rescue technology for this purpose. This is a very valuable and essential rescue tool, which could also be particularly interesting for children's hospitals or daycare centers. As we all know, the youngest and smallest among us are the most vulnerable in case of a fire, and for them, just two or three breaths could be fatal or they could be exposed to sudden temperature fluctuations. Especially for infants, "EVERY SECOND COUNTS"! #Infants #EmergencySituation #Clinics


Non-Apocalyptic Evidence-Based Preparedness Education - Professor Jeff Donaldson / Tristan Claridge - Disaster & Emergency Management and Social Capital


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