Milestone 4

4.1: Optimization

The Heatwave Safety App has made substantial progress in recent months. Initially developed as a simple weather alert platform, the app has evolved into an interactive, multi-functional tool that delivers real-time heatwave alerts, personalized health tips, and nearby cooling center locations.

Our team designed the app with user accessibility and modularity in mind. The application’s frontend was built using React and CSS, providing a clean and responsive UI. The backend utilizes Node.js with MongoDB for secure user authentication, profile storage, and hydration tracking. Location-based weather and fire alerts are powered by third-party APIs, ensuring live updates tailored to each user’s geographic area.

One key development includes the hydration logging system and personalized daily heat safety recommendations, which adjust based on user age, health conditions, and weather severity. The app also includes a dynamic chatbot capable of answering medical and safety questions related to heat illnesses, or wildfire updates.

This feature set deviates from our original vision of a basic notification app, thanks to ongoing testing and user feedback. We also have ideas for future wearable integration, which would allow the app to sync with thermoelectric cooling bands or wrist sensors to track body temperature and hydration levels in real time.

Although timeline adjustments were necessary due to API limitations and testing challenges, these changes led to a more robust and user-friendly platform. The app is now optimized for mobile use and includes the flexibility to scale additional features like heat history dashboards and local government alerts.

4.2: Delivery

Emergency Dashboard

Link to full video: https://youtube.com/shorts/3LN9kwsHiqc

4.3: Management

Throughout the Heat Wave Safety alert application project, the team maintained a structured project plan with clear milestones, task breakdowns, and assigned responsibilities. Tools such as Gantt charts and weekly goal tracking were used to stay organized and monitor progress. Communication was maintained through group messages and regular in-person meetings, allowing for real-time collaboration and efficient problem-solving.

Each team member made meaningful contributions. Adriana Lopez focused on the frontend interface, hydration log, and played a key role in fixing and stabilizing the database. Gabriel Mendoza was responsible for implementing the user login page and developing the AI-powered chat box to provide users with safety tips and quick answers. Caroline Gomez worked on the home page, backend infrastructure—including API integration and data handling—and the emergency dashboard that visualizes nearby heatwave alerts and wildfire risks.

The project plan was adapted several times to respond to shifting requirements and technical challenges. For example, after encountering issues with geolocation accuracy and API rate limits, the team re-prioritized tasks to implement reverse geocoding, optimize data-fetching logic, and add error-handling mechanisms. These changes were communicated clearly among all members and reflected in updates to the planning tools and development timeline.

Through effective collaboration, flexibility, and consistent use of project management practices, the team successfully delivered a functional MVP that met technical objectives and deadlines.