"The Google crisis response team has assembled a Hurricane Sandy map to help you track the storm's progress and provide updated emergency information, " wrote Google software engineer Ka-Ping Yee on the firm's blog.

BBC: Hurricane Sandy tracked by Google

Crews also used specialist software to predict where many emergency calls would come from so vehicles could be in the right place at the right time.

BBC: New Year sees major rise in South East ambulance calls

Dan Garrett, operations manager at the trust's Coxheath base near Maidstone, Kent, said staff used specialist software to predict where many emergency calls would come from, and vehicles would be on standby in those areas so crews could be in the right place at the right time.

BBC: Extra South East ambulance staff for New Year's Eve