Building Resiliency: The Critical Need for Digital Disaster Plans

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the digital equity community is reminded once again of the essential role technology plays in disaster relief and recovery. It’s not just about restoring power lines and clearing debris; it’s about ensuring that every community has the digital infrastructure, tools, and knowledge to navigate and recover from disaster efficiently and equitably.

While traditional disaster recovery plans focus on the physical rebuilding of communities, we must now consider digital disaster preparedness as an equally important priority. The pandemic already underscored how crucial digital access is, but natural disasters like hurricanes add a layer of urgency to the conversation. The communities most vulnerable in times of crisis—those already facing digital inequities—are at risk of being left further behind if we fail to act now. It's time to develop comprehensive digital disaster plans that go beyond infrastructure to include equitable access, training, and support.

Why We Need Digital Disaster Plans

The digital divide doesn’t disappear in times of disaster—it deepens. Families with limited access to reliable internet or devices find themselves unable to access critical resources, from emergency notifications to applications for relief funds. Digital disaster plans should focus on not just restoring services but ensuring continuity in digital access for all residents, especially those in underserved areas. This starts with making sure that digital equity is a central pillar of disaster planning.

A. Deployment of Disaster Technology for Residents:

-- Connectivity Hubs: Similar to emergency shelters, digital disaster plans should include the deployment of temporary “Connectivity Hubs” equipped with Wi-Fi, charging stations, and devices for those affected by the disaster. These hubs will serve as critical lifelines for accessing information and services during recovery.

-- Emergency Device Distribution: Partnering with local organizations, digital navigators, and public institutions like libraries, we can ensure rapid deployment of no- or low-cost devices to residents, particularly to those who have lost devices in the disaster. Prior plans for inventory and distribution, as demonstrated in programs such as the CDE’s device distribution efforts, would enable quicker response times.

B. Designing Accessible Forms for Relief Support:

-- Inclusive Digital Forms: In a disaster, applying for relief funding can be an arduous process, especially for those with low digital literacy or who speak languages other than English. We must design simple, accessible, and mobile-friendly relief application forms that are user-friendly and multilingual. These forms need to be co-created with the input of community members and should ensure that marginalized populations can access them without technical or linguistic barriers.

C. Training for Digital Tools in Disaster Relief:

-- Tailored Training Materials: Post-disaster recovery will require not just devices and internet access but the knowledge to use them. Digital literacy programs tailored to disaster response—covering topics like applying for assistance, locating family members, and accessing health services—must be part of a pre-disaster plan. These materials should be available in multiple formats, such as video tutorials, step-by-step guides, and live support sessions.

-- Leveraging Digital Navigators: Digital Navigators, who already play a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide, should be equipped with specialized training to assist during disasters. They can act as frontline support, helping residents troubleshoot technology issues, connect to emergency services, and access online resources.

Establishing Public-Private Partnerships:

-- Collaborative Ecosystems: Public-private partnerships are crucial for scaling digital disaster response efforts. Telecom providers, community organizations, and government agencies must collaborate to ensure the necessary infrastructure and resources are in place before disaster strikes. This includes ensuring that Wi-Fi-enabled vans or mobile hotspots are deployed to areas that need them most.

Data-Driven Response and Recovery:

-- Real-Time Data Dashboards: Access to real-time data on which areas are most affected by a disaster allows for a more targeted response. A digital disaster plan should incorporate data dashboards that track service outages, device needs, and areas where residents are struggling to access online services. These dashboards can inform both immediate relief efforts and long-term recovery strategies.

D. From Discussion to Action

The urgency to develop digital disaster plans cannot be overstated. By taking action now—building partnerships, creating accessible tools, and training our communities—we can ensure that when disaster strikes, no one is left digitally stranded.

This is a call to every city, state, and national organization: digital equity must be a core component of your disaster preparedness efforts. Let’s begin drafting these digital disaster plans today, ensuring that the most vulnerable among us are not forgotten during their most critical moments of need. Together, we can build a more resilient and inclusive future.

E. What do we not know today? What else can we learn?

Here are 16 questions that need to be addressed in addition to the items above:

1. How will these digital disaster plans be funded long-term?
2. Can this plan be scaled to different-sized communities, particularly rural or under-resourced areas?
3. How will local, state, and federal agencies coordinate efforts?
4. What mechanisms will be in place to avoid redundancy or gaps in services?
5. How will we prioritize communities with the greatest need during a disaster?
6. How will the plan address digital literacy and access issues for vulnerable populations beforehand?
7. Who will be responsible for training digital navigators and ensuring consistency in services?
8. How often will disaster-related digital literacy training be updated or refreshed?
9. What specific technologies will be deployed, and how will their effectiveness be measured?
10. How will internet service and device needs be restored when traditional infrastructure is severely damaged?
11. How will personal data collected during relief efforts be protected?
12. What security protocols will be in place to ensure that the digital tools and platforms used aren’t compromised?
13. How will residents' voices be incorporated into the creation and ongoing refinement of digital disaster plans?
14. How will we measure resident satisfaction with digital disaster services?
15. What is the timeline for rolling out digital disaster plans?
16. How will the plan be tested before actual disasters occur?

What questions do you have?