Product Review of CrisisGo
This app was designed for emergency response personnel to use with their smartphones and desktops so that valuable information is at their fingertips. Information such as building schematics can be readily available when there’s a need to evacuate people from a building or send alert notifications.
What Users Love About the App
“With all the crisis situations we see in the news and our own backyards, this app helps keep us connected and safe.”
“I like the idea of having an alert system that can alert the school about potential dangers and how to proceed if there is a shooter or bomb threat.”
“I like the straightforward, easy-to-navigate interface. When utilizing it in an emergency, you need it to be intuitive and simple so you can send and receive information quickly and quietly. The tools included (like the flashlight and the alarm/siren) are very handy and utilitarian; there isn’t nonessential stuff taking up space in the app, which is important.”
“Our school uses this, which makes me feel safe. This app is probably more intended for any type of work or school.”
“Works perfectly. It is a great school resource. Maps for your specific school? Check. Is the roster of every kid in every class updated daily? Check. Immediate messaging to every member of the administrative team? Check. Panic button for every teacher so they don’t have to find the nearest walkie-talkie? Check. Includes bully reporting, student/parent messaging, and every student’s emergency contact number all on your phone in the palm of your hand.”
What Users Dislike About the App
“This app has promise, but putting the icon in the status bar is negative. The app just closes and does nothing. It would be useful if the app opened or allowed disabling the icon from always showing. Change that and it gets better!”
“During the testing process, there were some inconsistencies we found when trying to use the app during a hostile intruder drill; namely, the fact that you need to take additional steps (or it’s not very clear) how to silence notifications in the app. In this type of emergency, it’s important to be able to immediately stop loud noises and not have to fumble with it.”
“Very clunky app. You need to have an unlimited data plan, or it does not work properly. I often get alerts when I arrive home and connect to my home network. My school’s network often logs me off and then I cannot receive alerts. I am then blamed. Our school drills are terrible because 20% of the phones won’t work properly. Text message alerts, learning management software, and an old-fashioned alarm would do the same thing and be more reliable. It gives administrators a false sense of security.”
“Ever since being forced to download this app for my son’s school, my phone is CONSTANTLY crashing and restarting randomly. This app has taken over my entire phone, and there is absolutely no way to prevent it from opening at startup. Once it is downloaded, it automatically opens any time my phone starts up, which, as I already stated, is now randomly throughout the day. Additionally, I am no longer able to send or receive texts.”
“It’s a work in progress and has tons of bugs that need to be fixed. I think they need a good programmer to fix all those bugs.”
“It’s almost too easy to set it off by mistake so I don’t even open the app.”
