Many people in the United States have mobile devices like, Smart Phones (iphone, black berry etc) and tablet devices (ipad, kindle etc). Applications (App) for these various mobile devices are prolific and easy to download and use. 

 The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) should develop an App for teaching people about preparedness via short video demonstrations, games, tutorials and interactive checklists. Both in a childs format and adult format.

A seperate App should also be avalible for download detailing during/after disaster actions to take in a tutorial, video or checklist form such as water procurement, purification and storage, sheltering in place, simple medical or first aid information etc.

The various methods like games, tutorials and checklists will enable people to learn some information no matter what their learning style.

Many App's are usable even when a mobile network infastructure is not present, so use of the during/after disaster App would be possible.

If you regionalized the App i.e. west coast, east cost, northwest etc you could have people download certain parts that pertain to their area so they can focus on surviving a disaster.

Items or subject matter should include the following;

Mental preparedness (focus on self reliance) they government resources will be spread out and you will have to rely on yourself for basic needs.

Stocking a emergency kit or bugout bag focused on four core needs of a survivor; shelter, water, fire, food.

Sheltering in place vs. evacuation (both at work, home and on vacation).

First aid and hygeine.

Foul weather (storms, tornado's, hurricanes, floods, snow etc).

Earthquakes.

Building collapse.

Basic safety information concerning use of fire for cooking and purifying water, use and care of knives, drinking water, food consumption, use of tools and other basic safety rules to follow.

Chemical release, hazardous material release, biological agent, nuclear and pandemic.

Legal preparedness (ID, Documents, home owners, laws pertaining to disasters etc)

Procedures to obtain basic needs like water either through sources that we are familiar with like the kitchen sink and others not so familiar like the home water heater. Improvisation should be the focus of this section as there will not be a picture perfect world when disaster strikes.

FEMA should also consider standardizing application procedures for all assistance requests and include a seperate App to aid people in applying for assistance after a disaster.

If these App's are developed they should be marketed on radio stations and associated websites. Cable television, websites and through PSA's.

Recommendations for specific content should be gathered from reliable experienced sources i.e. Military SERE instructors, disaster survivors and professional instructors like Cody Lundin, Tom Brown and Kevin Reeve.