The city of Pilsen in the Czech Republic – located about 90 kilometers (56 miles) west of Prague in western Bohemia – has launched the initiative, “Safe Pilsen.” Safe Pilsen is a mobile app designed to keep residents safe and informed during crisis events. The new application – which can be downloaded free of charge via Google Play or the App Store – will send a warning when there is a natural disaster, large-scale fire, gas leak, or any other emergency. In addition to providing information, the notification will also provide users with instructions on what to do.
“By adhering to (the instructions), it is possible to prevent potential interference with the work of the integrated rescue system,” Security Councilor Martin Zrzavecký said.
The application also includes preventive measures by describing various possible crisis situations and recommendations on how to respond. It also displays news from the Safe Pilsen website, for example, regarding the cancellation of a regular monthly siren test.
“The city has a number of information channels through which it can alert citizens, if necessary, but we wanted to use modern technology and offer another option. Smartphones and tablets are a matter of course today, we basically always have them with us and thanks to them, we have the opportunity to be informed in a few seconds. And that is exactly the goal of the new application,” said the mayor of Pilsen, Pavel Šindelář.
The application was created as part of the Výzvy (Challenges) student project, which the city supports through its Information Technology Administration (SIT) office.