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Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, more to perform at wildfire benefit shows
Top performers like Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish will present benefit shows sponsored by the LA Clippers to assist wildfire victims.
Arriving at Los Angeles International Airport remains surreal even a week subsequent to firestorms that devastated 12,000 homes, businesses, and structures, resulting in at least 24 fatalities in Los Angeles.
A lingering, faint smoky odor persists, and our eyes sting as we transition from the airport to our rental vehicle.
The hotel we booked last minute near Universal Studios is occupied with evacuees and their pets. Kindness emanates from everyone — from the gentleman checking us into our accommodations to the security staff member at the TV studio where I am about to appear and discuss technological tools that can assist during disasters. They take a brief moment to connect with us, silently communicating, “Are you alright?” We respond with smiles and gratitude, attempting to convey the same sentiments in return. The atmosphere feels exceptionally delicate.
Everyone here is impacted
Currently, wildfires driven by a combination of intense winds and drought conditions are striking the western regions of the United States particularly hard. However, tomorrow’s calamity could range from various other severe disasters occurring across the country. As climate change raises the occurrence and severity of catastrophic events, here are several essential applications and devices that are proving invaluable during crises.
This is undoubtedly the top wildfire-warning application to install on your smartphone immediately, particularly if you reside in one of the 22 states it currently encompasses.
It employs an automated system that observes 911 dispatch and other emergency calls pertinent to fires, flagging them as they come in. The moment a call is received, the system dispatches notifications to a team of active and retired firefighters, first responders, and journalists — individuals monitoring public sources, scanners, cameras, satellites, and more from around the globe — to compile and authenticate as much relevant information as possible. All data is cross-checked, uploaded, and refreshed in real-time as situations develop.
This application provides notifications regarding evacuations, locations of shelters, wind patterns, weather forecasts, and tracks air quality. It is free of charge because it is managed by a nonprofit organization, though a voluntary $25/year subscription assists in its maintenance and operation.
The official FEMA app serves as a useful tool that everyone ought to download and update as part of “adulting.” Being prepared for emergencies is more vital than ever, and relying on last-minute preparations when disaster hits is invariably too late.
The app presents an excellent resource for organizing what to pack in…your emergency go-bag, methods to lessen potential harm, understand how evacuations function, and determine supplies to include in a pet emergency kit, as well. It’s perpetually updated with fresh information for individuals affected by any catastrophe, ranging from intense storms to earthquakes and beyond.
Equipped with built-in notifications, the FEMA app informs you if you find yourself in a watch or warning area, enabling you to strategize accordingly. It also directs you to relief and recovery centers if you are affected or need to evacuate. As a government entity, FEMA ensures that the app is completely free. It’s one of those applications everyone should possess, even if they believe they don’t require it.
This app was originally crafted for off-grid adventurers and the increasing number of individuals ensnared in climate-related disasters who might require a first-aid manual without a functional internet or cellular service. However, the company’s tech chief resides near the Sunset Fire in LA, and he realized that air-quality information from GOES was more precise than any other data he could obtain.
With built-in location-specific instructions, the app adapts to current conditions, whether they entail extreme temperatures, the threat of hazardous wildlife, poor air quality, or even UV exposure. Its offline repository of medical data is beneficial when cellular connectivity is far away. The app addresses over 60 medical subjects with hundreds of pieces of advice, data, and recommendations.
It’s free to trial, with the premium subscription costing $36 annually thereafter.
Addressing physical injuries or ailments is often crucial, but when the chaos subsides, our mental well-being can bear the brunt of the fallout. It is vital to treat our minds with the same diligence we apply to our bodies, and the Feeling Great app’s AI-driven chatbot is loaded with tools to help comprehend even the most intricate and troubling circumstances.
The app stems from decades of efforts by Dr. David Burns, a Stanford educator and bestselling author who popularized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) — now regarded by many as the gold benchmark of mental health treatment — in his therapeutic practice. The app’s AI utilizes over 100 techniques to tackle negative sentiments, offering guidance on how to challenge detrimental thoughts and evaluate changes.
It’s free to experiment with, followed by an annual subscription priced at $99.
Scammers are out in full force
Numerous donations and charity initiatives are gathering funds to assist individuals affected by disasters, with the California wildfires being the most recent large-scale occurrence.
Regrettably, these altruistic initiatives can bring forth the worst in individuals. Scammers are active online and in real life, feigning to collect funds for noble causes or even impersonating FEMA inspectors. Here are some quick suggestions to help steer clear of fraudsters and thieves:
- Avoid engaging with unsolicited emails, texts or phone calls, particularly if they appear urgent and require immediate action. That perception of urgency is a frequent tactic used to fool individuals when emotions are heightened.
- GoFundMe established a centralized online hub featuring all verified fundraising platforms related to the Los Angeles-area wildfires.
- Confirm that the website is securely encrypted — look for a gray lock icon.
- Never reply to requests asking for gift cards or personal information.
- For fire victims: Be cautious of individuals soliciting you — claiming they can file your FEMA report and expedite payments for you.
- Legitimate FEMA inspectors always display an official government badge to identify themselves. You can ask the individual to show their identification. FEMA inspectors will never:
- Request money or banking details.
- Ask for your nine-digit registration number — which is already present in their records.
- Charge for an inspection process; this is complimentary.
Gadgets to the rescue
Once you dive into emergency preparedness, it can be easy to become excessive, but you don’t need to go into full “doomsday prepper” mode to provide yourself and your loved ones a bit of an advantage in case something unfortunate occurs. I keep several gadgets with a just-in-case mindset that don’t strain my budget but offer me some extra reassurance.
Backup battery power
Ecoflow and Jackery have built their esteemed reputations in the backup power arena through many years and numerous product launches. Both are excellent selections for powering anything from your refrigerator to your laptops and smartphones during an emergency.
My current preferred choice is the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2, an upgraded version of one of the company’s most sought-after backup battery systems.
This device is compact yet powerful, featuring a 1500W output and over 1000Wh capacity. It can recharge your devices dozens of times, ensuring you’re never left without a fully charged phone, tablet.or laptop. It’s designed for urgent situations and is extremely durable. It can recharge from 0% to 100% in as brief as one hour, rendering it the perfect backup when your world is thrown into chaos.
Priced at $799, it’s a straightforward choice and occupies minimal space. I also attached solar panels to mine, which are remarkably beneficial when the electricity is cut off, and you’re uncertain when it might be restored.
Portable power banks
I always have one on hand. It can energize two gadgets at once, like my phone and laptop, and possesses an astounding 10,000mAh of power, ample to recharge my iPhone or Android device several times.
Additionally, it’s constructed from 90% recycled plastic and is carbon neutral, so I feel satisfied using it. Plus, it’s TSA-approved, ensuring you won’t encounter any problems while passing through security checks. At $60, it’s an excellent deal.
Air purifiers
I have maintained Coway’s Airmega Mighty nearby as my air-purifying defender ever since I delved into the realm of clean-air devices back in 2020. At that time, I resided in a part of Oakland, California with some of the worst persistent air quality in the United States. Smoke from wildfires rendered our skies an eerie orange and confined us indoors for extended periods.
It features a four-stage filtration system and can circulate nearly 1,800 square feet of indoor air in just one hour. Indoor air pollution is serious, and if you’re situated downwind from wildfires or any other air quality disaster, having a robust air filtration system will make breathing easier for you, your loved ones, and pets.
At an unexpectedly affordable price of $163 for the unit and just $60 for a filter set, it’s an excellent option for tackling various air quality challenges, from fires to allergy season.
Keep in mind, for air quality, you want HEPA for filtering and carbon for purification.
Jennifer Jolly is an Emmy Award-winning technology columnist and on-air contributor for “The Today Show.” The opinions shared in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily represent those of USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected] or visit @JennJolly on Instagram.
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