Challenge

Up to 80% of EmergencyInfoBC.ca's audience accesses the site via mobile devices during emergencies. Access to information is critical for users located in rural and remote areas with low network connectivity. To better support the public, the Emergency Info BC team aims to redesign the Current Wildfire Information page using UX best practices and government digital standards and guidelines.

Solution

Create a mobile-first design where accessibility and user-friendly content are prioritized. Here are some of the opportunities I discovered and the user-centered approach I proceeded with based on the original webpage:

● Evacuation Orders and Alerts: The information needed clearer and more eye-catching components at the top of the page to emphasize the importance and hierarchy of information.

● Search Functionality: Adding a search functionality or an alphabetical link/navigation for the available municipalities and regional districts.

● Multiple Columns: The format of the municipalities and regional districts list needed to be broken up into multiple columns to accommodate large-screen views and utilize the wide-screen space, while returning to a one-column view in small-screen views.

● Back to Top Visibility: Improve the visibility of the "Back to Top" arrow and button.

● Content Audit and Reorganization: Conduct an audit and reorganization of the content on the page based on the information’s level of importance. For example, the "Stages of Evacuation" and "Resources" links could be sidebar elements, while the EmergencyInfoBC feedback could be moved to the bottom of the page.

● Interactive Emergency Map: Incorporate an interactive emergency map that lives on the same page.