10 Tech Essentials for Emergency Evacuations

When the firestorm erupted in San Diego in October, there was a sickening feeling of d-j vu that descended on local residents. Almost exactly four years ago, similar wind conditions had blown a handful of wildfires into raging torrents of flame, burning

Anyone who faced evacuation immediately realized that one of the biggest obstacles was traffic. This GPS unit offers an optional live traffic update service that allows you to shift your route on-the-fly as traffic conditions change.

Being able to log on to local Web sites was indispensable when it came to assessing changing fire conditions and making important life-or-death decisions about whether to fight or flee. I cycled among the California Highway Patrols live incident log,

Mobile phones are a lifeline, but only when you can get a strong enough signal. This portable unit from Wilson is like carrying your own personal cell tower, boosting your phones signal by up to 15X.

Having some kind of portable computer was absolutely essential. I ended up bringing two: a lightweight Gateway unit with a 12-inch screen and the gargantuan HP HDX Dragon machine with its 20.1-inch screen. The HDX operates on the concept

Even with televisions and radios blaring, finding solid information about where the fire was heading proved extremely difficult. Maintaining a fast, working Web connection was the best way to stay safe and informed, and the EVDO Rev. A-based USB720 per

We were lucky to have ample electricity available at our evacuation site, but many evacuees were not so fortunate. A crank-powered AM/FM/NOAA (weather) radio should be in everyones emergency kit, and this affordable model from Et??n also features TV au

The ability to record and document your experience is valuable, but people who actually lost their homes to wildfire soon found their insurance companies requesting before-and-after videos of their house and belongings. Having a compact and sturdy vide

This device admittedly seemed a little frivolous when I first received it, but its value became clear when I realized the need to charge multiple devices in a confined space. For people evacuated to large venues, such as San Diegos Qualcomm Stadium, e

Even after the fires were controlled and we were allowed to return to our homes, many of us continued to suffer intermittent power outages as local authorities struggled to repair downed lines. This $20 device is a clean, lightweight source of portable

It may be decidedly low-tech, but a good flashlight is one item from the Boy Scout list that also belongs on any techies list of essentials. The anodized aluminum Brite-Strike Blue Dot series flashlights meet military specifications and are favored by

Steve Kovsky is technology correspondent for XETV (Fox TV, San Diego) and KFWB News 980 (Infinity Broadcasting, Los Angeles), host of Tech Alternatives (KCEO AM, San Diego; KTKZ AM/FM Sacramento), author of High Tech Toys For Your TV:

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