Preparedness app directory

Preparedness Apps and Tools for Everyday Emergencies

Find helpful apps, maps, alert systems, calculators, and planning tools to support your emergency preparedness.

Quick answer

Use these tools to support planning, alerts, communication, mapping, first aid, and household awareness, but pair them with local guidance, offline plans, and common sense.

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25 tools

AirNow

Official air quality information and forecasts for smoke, ozone, and particle pollution conditions.

FreeWeb, iOS, AndroidAir Quality Tool Risk MitigationWildfire
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American Red Cross Mobile Apps

Red Cross apps provide preparedness guidance, severe weather alerts, first aid help, and disaster resources.

FreeiOS, AndroidMobile Apps First Aid
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American Resiliency Risk Levels

Climate and resilience resource for understanding regional risk signals and long-term preparedness context.

FreeWebResource Risk Mitigation
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ArcGIS Living Atlas Water Balance App

Esri map app for exploring precipitation, soil moisture, snowpack, runoff, and water balance trends.

FreeWebMap FloodingWater
Open map

Bitchat

Decentralized or offline-style chat option to explore as a backup communication tool.

VariesApp/WebCommunication App Communication
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Bridgefy

Offline messaging app that can send messages over Bluetooth when internet or SMS is unavailable nearby.

Free / PaidiOS, AndroidCommunication App Communication
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FEMA App

Official FEMA mobile app for preparedness information, alerts, disaster resources, and recovery guidance.

FreeiOS, AndroidMobile App Emergency Alerts
Download App

FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Official FEMA flood map lookup for understanding mapped flood risk around a property or community.

FreeWebMap Emergency AlertsFlooding
Open map

Food When The Shops Stop

A food resilience resource for planning simple backup meals when normal shopping is disrupted.

FreeWebResource Food
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GMCMap

Crowdsourced radiation map showing Geiger counter readings and related monitoring data where available.

FreeWeb/AppMap Risk Mitigation
Open map

HazAdapt

Customizable emergency and disaster guides with local and national crisis support resources.

FreeiOS, Android, WebMobile App Risk Mitigation
Download App

IAEA TRACE App

IAEA radiation alarm and commodity evaluation reference for radiation detection and assessment contexts.

FreeMobile AppRadiation Tool Radiation
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iFirstAid

First aid reference app with guidance for common injuries and emergency response basics.

VariesMobile AppFirst Aid App Emergency Planning
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Nixle

Community alert system used by participating public safety agencies for local updates and warnings.

FreeSMS, Email, WebAlert System Emergency Alerts
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Oasis Health

Health information tool to review for storing or accessing household medical information when appropriate.

VariesWeb/AppHealth Tool First Aid
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Pet First Aid by American Red Cross

Pet first aid reference for common pet emergencies, preparedness, and veterinary care decisions.

FreeiOS, AndroidFirst Aid App First Aid
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Pl@ntNet

Plant identification app useful for learning local plants and recognizing unknown vegetation from photos.

FreeiOS, Android, WebIdentification App Emergency Planning
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PPantry

Helps plan and track household pantry supplies so you know what you have, what to rotate, and what to restock.

VariesWeb/AppPlanning Tool Food
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PrepSafe

Food labeling and safety tool that may help with organized food handling, rotation, and kitchen preparedness.

VariesWeb/AppFood Safety Tool Emergency Planning
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PulsePoint

911-connected app that can alert users to nearby cardiac emergencies and local incidents where adopted.

FreeiOS, AndroidEmergency App First Aid
Download App

Ready For Unsteady App

The Ready For Unsteady mobile app helps keep household emergency information and planning steps organized.

FreeiOS, AndroidMobile App Emergency Planning
Learn about the app

SHTF Family Calculator

Estimates household preparedness needs based on family size, duration, and basic supplies.

FreeWebCalculator Food
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Survival Tech

A preparedness resource with practical digital tools and references for emergency planning.

VariesWebResource Emergency Planning
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Watch Duty

Tracks wildfires, smoke conditions, evacuation updates, and other incident alerts in supported areas.

FreeiOS, Android, WebMobile App Wildfire
Download App

Zello

Push-to-talk voice app that can support group communication when internet or cellular data is available.

Free / PaidiOS, Android, WebCommunication App Communication
View resource

Frequently Asked Questions

What are preparedness apps and tools?

Preparedness apps and tools include mobile apps, maps, calculators, alert systems, websites, and checklists that help you plan ahead, stay informed, and organize household readiness tasks.

Should I rely on an app during an emergency?

No. Apps can support alerts, planning, maps, and communication, but they should not be your only plan. Keep important phone numbers, meeting places, medical information, and checklists available offline.

How do I choose which tools to use?

Start with one official alert source, one first aid reference, one communication backup, and one planning or inventory tool that matches how your household actually works.

Do these tools replace local emergency alerts?

No. Local emergency management, weather alerts, evacuation notices, public safety updates, and official instructions should take priority during an active emergency.

Why do some tools use favicons instead of full logos?

Favicons are small official site icons that help people scan the directory without storing large third-party logo files or making brand marks dominate the page.

Are these recommendations sponsored?

No. Listings are included because they may be useful for planning, alerts, communication, awareness, or household organization. Always review the tool, privacy policy, cost, and current availability before using it.

What privacy or data concerns should I consider?

Check what each tool collects, whether it uses location data, whether an account is required, and whether your data can be shared. For sensitive information, use tools you trust and keep offline backups when possible.

What tools should I start with first?

Start with local alerts, the FEMA app or another official emergency source, a first aid reference, a communication backup, and one simple planning or inventory tool.

How often should I review my emergency apps?

Review your apps and saved resources at least twice a year and before seasonal risks like storms, extreme heat, extreme cold, wildfire conditions, or travel.