Harbor App Launches: Gamified Emergency Preparedness

Harbor, a company focused on emergency readiness that recently secured $5 million in seed funding, has announced the public availability of its application.

The application utilizes game-like elements to simplify the process of preparing your residence and loved ones for potential crises, encompassing both typical emergencies such as residential fires and larger-scale events like earthquakes and wildfires.

The company is headed by Dan Kessler, previously an executive at Headspace, and has established a collaboration with Team RUBICON, a non-profit organization that deploys veterans to assist communities impacted by natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies.

Upon initial registration with Harbor, users input their ZIP code, enabling the application to automatically identify the most probable emergency scenarios specific to their geographic location. Users also have the option to manually specify additional emergency types. Kessler indicates that the application will refine this process further by incorporating more detailed data related to individual properties.

Following the selection of potential emergencies, users receive weekly assignments centered around various aspects of preparedness, including water storage, smoke detector checks, and assembling a comprehensive emergency kit.

Instead of presenting users with an overwhelming list of tasks, Harbor divides the preparation process into manageable, short activities designed to be completed each week.

“Our goal is to make preparedness a consistent habit,” Kessler explained. “Similar to brushing your teeth, exercising, or practicing mindfulness, it’s not a one-time effort. We aim to help users build a routine through weekly engagement.”

As users advance within the application, tasks may require a greater time commitment, such as learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Each activity is accompanied by relevant educational content. For instance, the application might test a user’s knowledge of water purification techniques for safe consumption – the correct method may be unexpected.

The application also features an integrated online store offering products from third-party brands vetted by Harbor for quality. Currently, the company generates revenue through commissions on sales from these products, but Kessler anticipates introducing additional application features and potentially adopting a freemium model.

Further capabilities of Harbor include functionality for offline access and secure, encrypted storage of vital documents like Social Security cards and birth certificates. The future availability of these features within the free or premium version of the application is still under evaluation, with the company actively testing various options, according to Kessler.