Final answer:
Technology and non-technology methods are both important in emergency/disaster situations. Technology provides efficient disaster relief and information dissemination, while traditional approaches ensure ground-level organization and management. Despite the advantages of technology, factors such as the digital divide and the necessity for robust decision-making and communication skills must be considered.
Step-by-step explanation:
Both technology and non-technology approaches are essential in emergency/disaster situations. Technology aids in efficient disaster relief, such as the crowdsourcing used during the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami, which involves tracking tweets and emails to create crisis maps. However, non-technological elements like labeling boxes are critical for on-the-ground organization and immediate relief work.
The presence of a digital divide and increased dependency on technology highlight potential drawbacks and risks associated with tech reliance during emergencies. This includes privacy concerns, system failures, and security vulnerabilities. Hence, a balance of technology use and conventional methods like clear communication, decision making, and stress management by emergency workers is crucial.
Notably, technology's history of conveying information—from petroglyphs to warning signs—underscores its importance in communication and management, which remains true in disaster scenarios. The adoption of new technologies, such as improved cookstoves in India, indicates that non-technological factors like quality and real-life application also profoundly affect effectiveness in emergencies.