Arlington Unveils Emergency Preparedness App

Arlington County formally unveiled a new emergency preparedness mobile app for iPhones and Droids on Tuesday.

The Arlington Prepares app has three primary functions that allow users to stay informed, make a plan and get involved.

The app comes pre-loaded with relevant Arlington County emergency numbers, including 911, several utilities and the animal shelter. Individual users can add personal contacts to the list.

Recommended responses to a wide range of emergencies, from earthquakes to biological attacks, come pre-loaded.

"It's very cool, and it's the only one like it in the country," said Debbie Powers, a deputy coordinator with the county's Office of Emergency Management.

The application also includes an interactive, customizable disaster kit function that allows you to check (or uncheck) what items you have, set family meeting places and store personal information, like prescription regiments.

Arlington Prepares is the first app created by the county. It is free and available in English and Spanish.

"It's incredibly informative, because it really does say what to do in certain situations," County Manager Barbara Donnellan said.