Patent ID: 8769023

Claim:
A method comprising: receiving map data at a participating device before the participating device receives a disaster alert message; storing the map data on the participating device before the participating device receives the disaster alert message; receiving the disaster alert message at the participating device; in response to receiving the disaster alert message: sending location data to a coordination data center automatically, the location data indicating a current geographical location of the participating device; and using the map data to determine an escape route for a user of the participating device; receiving a post-disaster message at the participating device after the disaster has stopped actively affecting an area that includes the current geographical location of the participating device; in response to the post-disaster message, sending new location data from the participating device to the coordination data center, the new location data indicating a new geographical location of the participating device; and in response to the post-disaster message, sending status data from the participating device to the coordination data center, the status data indicating whether the user of the participating device needs emergency assistance.