Emergency Response Database (ERDB)

Overview

This software allows users to store and query information for the resources/skills/needs of members of a Latter-Day Saint ward or branch which may be useful to plan for natural disasters. It was originally created for our local church congregation. The source can be found at http://code.google.com/p/erdb/ under the Mozilla Public License 1.1. No warranty is expressed or implied by the creator. Use it at your own risk.

Computer Requirements

The ERDB with map requires at least 512 Megs of Ram.

Download

Install using Java Webstart

ERDB (with map)

ERDB (without map -requires less memory) - coming soon

Installation (Java Webstart)

Click on the above link for Java Websart. Follow the instructions. If it doesn't work, install Java 5 or higher and try again.

Installation (Windows)

On Windows, just unzip the downloaded file to the location of your choice on your computer. Then run the file EmergencyPreparedness.exe.

Installation (Macintosh And Linux)

Unzip the downloaded file to the location of your choice. Open a shell, go to the folder of the application and enter the following command:

java -Xmx256m -Dsun.swing.enableImprovedDragGesture -jar EmergencyPreparedness.jar

Features

  1. Names, addresses, and phone numbers are imported from MLS.
  2. The application can export a very basic summary to Excel.
  3. The software can facilitate grouping the ward into geographic zones. In the case of an emergency, zones would need to be self sufficient and could help eachother out.
  4. The software allows the user to to run queries. (For instance find all families which have someone who has CPR training.)
  5. The software shows the users summaries of the resources available in the ward. (For instance how many 4X4 trucks are in the ward?)
  6. The software allows the user to see their ward on a map. However, you must have internet access to get the latitude and longitude for each family so they can be shown on a map. Be aware that the mapping information is not always perfect.
  7. For those not using the map version or who don't have internet access, you may use grids for a pseudo-map. Most paper maps have grids on them with A through some letter on the top and One through some number going down the left side. For each family, the user can enter a grid such as A10, and the software can show how many families are in each grid.
  8. Some basic reports can be exported to PDF, and Excel.

Upcoming Features

  1. Having the ability to add families not in MLS may be added later
  2. Eventually, password protection may be added.
  3. There are plans to write a user manual.

Usage:

In Windows, just click EmergencyPreparedness.exe to run the application. In Macintosh or Linux, you can run the application, by going to the command line and typing:

java -Xmx256m -Dsun.swing.enableImprovedDragGesture -jar EmergencyPreparedness.jar

Next, get an export of the membership data in MLS from your ward clerk. Import the data into the application and save the file. You can keep the information insync with MLS by importing the latest data from MLS every couple of months or as often as you like. The application will not delete members who have moved out unless you explictly delete them. You can view these families by clicking on "Families Which Moved Out" in the View menu. To delete these families select the family to be deleted, right click and then click "delete".

Screenshots

Here's a picture of the Family Tab

Here's a picture of the Contact Information Tab

Here's a picture of the Resources Tab

Here's a picture of the Skills/Needs tab.

 

Mapping

Here is a sample map. To update the latitude longitude coordinates of your ward, click "Update Latitude/Longitude" in the Map menu. Then save your ward's information by clicking Save in the File menu. Then reopen the file and map will be updated.

Queries

Clicking on Specific Skills/Resources will highlight who in the ward has those Skills/Resources: