Hurricane Katrina Emergency Identification
Situation: In Austin there are approximately 4,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees living at our convention center in Downtown.Problem: Most evacuees have lost all forms of identification. Certain logistics are preventing the DMV from responding to this situation.
Solution: Create Katrina Emergency Cards for evacuees.
One of my business friends and I decided to donate our time in a unique way: Create a full-fledged operation in two days to assist the city of Austin in providing identification cards for the evacuees from New Orleans.
We have already had discussions with the head Austin city planner in charge of the evacuees, and he loved the idea and wants us to start soon as possible. Robert will further explain in this video:
One business idea I had come to Robert with just possibly got a big jumpstart. ExpressID's might now become a reality faster than I expected in order to help the Katrina evacuees staying in Austin. However, instead of being for profit, Express ID's will be for charity.
To get a better idea of the situation, we decided to volunteer inside the Austin Convention Center which is hosting the evacuees. Video:
We had a friend of Roberts whip up a few sample cards, this was the first he gave back. This most likely will not be the selected card:
In a matter of 24 hours, we have:
- Come up with an idea
- Talked to the right people - Several major banks have agreed to endorse the card for check-cashing and we already have approval from the guy running evacuee operation.
- Created a Project Image - Things run a lot smoother when you're organized.
- Got Website Up - The ExpressID's website is by no means perfect, but it's up.
- Got donors - Robert obtained donors willing to fund the project. If we end up replicating this process in Houston and other places, it will cost a significant amount.
I decided to document this whole process. Even though this is a volunteer effort, in many ways it is much like starting up a company. We've been taking video with my Casio Exilim EX-S500 at every step:
We've recieved the permission from the proper authorities and we have the resrouces to carry this project out quickly. It will be interesting to see how it goes!
Labels: business ideas
posted by Neville @ 1:57 AM
12 comments
12 Comments:
This sounds like a great idea. I just can't think of any use that I would have for an ID created by a non-government agency, unless it was outsourced from an employer or school.
I think you actually DID PARTY on Saturday, got HIGH, posted this NONSENSE.
I never thought ID cards would be a problem until you mentioned it. I'm guessing the previous commentors don't realize that some people have nothing left in their name. They have no identity except a paper wristband. Makes sense.
I wonder how come the DPS or DMW hasn't reacted to this problem?
Cool blog by the way.
I like that it literally reintroduces to evacuees a sense of identity after something this devastating. As I've worked extensively in emergency response (under the Red Cross and Office of Emergency Management), I can say that an actual ID card would be something many would value enormously.
That said, I'm surprised that anyone outside of shelter security would accept the IDs (since the opportunity for fraudulent use is high). But I could see it as a tool to identify people as they enter and leave the shelter.
One note: as you document this project, please do not take any pictures of evacuees without their explicit consent.
I'm guessing I didn't quite articulate some details properly.
1.) There are different uses for ID cards including medical info, emergency contact info, kid cards, identifying who was originally at the shelter (for extended aid purposes) and many more. We had no intention of these ID's replacing drivers licenses.
2.) These cards are 100% legal, just not official. This is why we had banks and the officials endorse them for legitimacy.
3.) This wasn't some big scheme to make money or start a company, this was just a unique way of volunteering. There are already too many volunteers in Austin offering their time.
4.) These ID's follow the concept of an AAA card. Having an account with them means you belong to their group. As people leave the convention center for other accommodations, they are still entitled to a certain amount of aid and donated supplies. Previously, the paper wristband was the only method of identifying who those people are. This was an attempt to make it a bit more official and secure.
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