Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about SafeHoods. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us.
Getting Started
SafeHoods is a community disaster preparedness platform that helps neighborhoods catalog and coordinate emergency resources. Residents register what they can contribute during emergencies (generators, medical supplies, shelter space, etc.), and the system helps coordinators quickly locate and mobilize these resources when disasters strike.
You'll receive an invitation from your community or pod administrator. The invitation email contains a link to create your account and join your neighborhood pod. If your community isn't on SafeHoods yet, you can contact us to learn about starting a community.
SafeHoods offers different plans depending on community size and needs. Contact us for pricing information tailored to your community.
A pod is a small geographic area within a community, typically covering a few blocks or streets. Pods are small enough that neighbors can realistically help each other during emergencies. Each pod has a coordinator who manages registrations and leads emergency response efforts.
Resources & Registration
SafeHoods tracks 8 categories of resources: Power (generators, batteries), Water (storage, filtration), Medical (first aid, equipment), Shelter (safe rooms, space), Communication (radios, satellite phones), Food (emergency supplies), Transportation (vehicles, fuel), and Tools (equipment, skills). You can add detailed descriptions for each resource.
No. Registering a resource indicates that you're willing to help, but there's no obligation. You decide when and how to share your resources. SafeHoods simply makes it possible for coordinators to know what's potentially available.
Yes! You can add, edit, or remove resources from your profile at any time. We encourage keeping your list current so coordinators have accurate information.
Access is controlled by role. Residents can see resource summaries (counts by type) for their pod. Pod administrators can see detailed resource information including addresses. First responders assigned to your pod can also view this information. Community administrators can see data across all pods they manage.
Privacy & Security
Yes. SafeHoods uses enterprise-grade security including JWT authentication, optional multi-factor authentication (MFA), and role-based access controls. Your data is encrypted and we follow security best practices.
No. SafeHoods uses a multi-tenant architecture with strict data isolation. Users can only see information within their assigned community and pods, based on their role permissions.
MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification beyond your password. SafeHoods supports authenticator apps (like Google Authenticator) or SMS codes. Your community administrator may require MFA for all users.
Click the 'Forgot Password' link on the login page. You'll receive an email with instructions to reset your password. For security, password reset links expire after a short period.
Roles & Permissions
SafeHoods has 5 roles: Super Administrator (full system access), Community Administrator (manages pods within a community), Pod Administrator (coordinates a local pod), Resident (manages own profile and resources), and First Responder (read-only access to assigned pods).
Pod coordinators (Pod Administrators) are appointed by Community Administrators. If you're interested in coordinating your pod, contact your community administrator. Coordinators should be reliable community members who are willing to help organize preparedness efforts.
No. First responders have read-only access. They can view resident and resource information to coordinate emergency response, but they cannot make any changes to the data.
During Emergencies
During emergencies, pod coordinators can instantly see what resources are available in their area. They can identify who has generators, medical supplies, or shelter space, and coordinate neighbor-to-neighbor assistance. First responders can also access this information to support official emergency response.
SafeHoods is a web-based platform that requires internet connectivity. For situations where internet may be unavailable, we recommend pod coordinators maintain printed or offline copies of essential resource information.
No. SafeHoods complements official emergency services by enabling community self-help while waiting for or alongside professional response. Always call 911 for emergencies. SafeHoods helps communities help themselves when professional services are overwhelmed or delayed.
Community Management
Contact us through our contact page. We'll discuss your community's needs, help you set up the organizational structure, and get your community onboarded. We provide guidance on defining pods, recruiting coordinators, and engaging residents.
Yes. SafeHoods supports multi-tenant deployments where a city, district, or organization can manage multiple independent communities from a centralized platform. Each community maintains its own data and administrators.
Administrators send email invitations to new users. Each invitation includes a secure link, pre-assigns a role, and expires after a configurable period. When recipients click the link, they can create their account and immediately access their assigned pod.
Still Have Questions?
Our team is here to help. Reach out and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.