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Citizen sensor
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Citizen sensors are individuals who actively engage in the collection and reporting (i.e. sensing, or acting as sensors) of first-hand information during a one-time or ongoing event or issue. This represents a new emerging use of mobile technology and social networking. As an example, in the health-care area, citizen sensors may provide information regarding an emergency, outbreak, disease, or other health or environmental issue to assist local, state, national, or international planning and response. This lay epidemiology is now possible with advances in Web and mobile technology that allow sharing of data, photos, video, and eyewitness reports. Citizen sensors are similar to other citizen service efforts such as citizen journalism. Notable events * In 2001, individuals tracked and reported injuries at theme parks in the “Accident Watch” special section of themeparkinsider.com. * During the Virginia Tech shootings in 2007, students confined to their buildings and concerned parents and friends worldwide compiled online lists of those injured or confirmed dead prior to published reports. * During the 2007 California wildfires, citizens used technology to quickly track and report eyewitness accounts of fire locations and greatly assisted the evacuation and fire department response. Official response Agencies and groups typically involved in health, environment, and emergency response planning are only beginning to explore how best to encourage direct citizen participation and make strategic use of the data from their collective intelligence. Quotes See Also
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