Disaster Preparedness? The Federal Gov't. Wants an App for That

In the wake of recent natural disasters, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response is challenging developers to craft a Facebook app aimed at helping healthcare facilities - including nursing homes - improve their disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

Entrants in the "Lifeline Facebook App Challenge" are tasked with creating an app that helps users establish three "lifelines," or friends who could be sources of support in the event of a natural disaster. According to the contest details, entrants are "encouraged to creatively leverage Facebook's existing networking and geo-locating capabilities to enhance the app's ability to increase personal preparedness, locate potential disaster victims and streamline information among social networks during disasters."

Sound right up your alley? Then click here and scroll to the bottom of the page for more details. There's big money to be won - cash prizes range from $1,000 to $10,000.