IEEE MOVE Grayson Randall Reviewed 2024 Emergency Response at New Jersey Coast Section Banquet

By Katherine Grace August, PhD

Grayson Randall, 2025 IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board Chair, brought inspiring news of the MOVE commitment to assisting victims of and responders to natural disasters in a comprehensive presentation at the New Jersey Coast Section Banquet on 6 December 2024. Year’s end brought this opportunity to reflect upon the progress and achievements of the IEEE MOVE organization, to recognize the dedication of volunteers, and celebrate the meaningful collaborations. Mary Ellen Randall, 2025 IEEE President-elect and Grayson Randall founded IEEE-USA MOVE. Grayson’s leadership and mentorship skills brought excitement to the banquet room, as he described the MOVE goals, organization, volunteers, and activities.

During 2024, IEEE MOVE provided short-term communications, technology, and power solutions during emergency response to other organizations including the American Red Cross. Grayson’s report about the MOVE response to devastating hurricanes Helene and Milton captured everyone’s attention. Grayson described how advanced technology is managed by the trained and skilled volunteers who are always ready to deploy when called upon. In addition, Grayson described the many talented volunteers who provide critical skills remotely for example information about weather, travel, and situation awareness. Together, volunteers collaborate to keep the operation running smoothly and at peak performance. Grayson described encountering extreme and challenging situations during 2024, in particular, when traveling to the hurricane impacted regions of North Carolina. They encountered many closed and unpassable roads, and rapidly shifting dangers, requiring vigilance and adaptation to the changing nature of each disaster. Grayson’s example of responding to North Carolina illustrated how the many talented volunteers from various parts of MOVE work together to achieve great outcomes.

There are opportunities for many more volunteers to apply knowledge and skills, and build new skills through training and experience with MOVE. Many of the volunteer activities are hands-on and are reflected in achievements directly related to using technology to help others. In 2024 during emergencies and between responses, STEM on the MOVE was engaged offering activities to youngsters. There were several community outreach programs at conferences and events. Banquet attendees were encouraged to volunteer and expand the engagement and impact of the IEEE MOVE into Regions 1 and 2. Grayson’s report presented IEEE MOVE which is an outstanding example of advancing technology for humanity.

David Wright Honored at Eastern North Carolina Section Annual Awards Banquet

By Grayson Randall

On 12 December 2024, the Eastern North Carolina Section held its Annual Awards Banquet with excellent attendance. Grayson Randall and David Wright presented to the full room on MOVE activities in 2024 with special emphasis on response to hurricane Helene and Milton. IEEE MOVE had 3 vehicles respond to those events where we provided power and communications that were desperately needed. 

The 2024 Region 3 Outstanding Service Award was presented to David Wright for his outstanding service to the community. A significant amount of his contribution is his service as the maintenance lead for the IEEE MOVE trucks, which are critical success factors for the response to hurricanes Helene and Milton. David’s responsibilities include overseeing the maintenance for all the MOVE trucks including regular service, ad hoc and emergency maintenance when things get broken, and making sure that the trucks are always prepared and ready to respond on short notice. There are many people involved in this support on the team but David ensures that everything is ready to go.  The MOVE team wishes to congratulate and thank David for his exceptional contributions of time and skills.

Mary Ellen Randall, 2025 IEEE President-elect, founder of IEEE MOVE, provided an overview of her plans for 2025. 

By Sadhana Attavar, MOVE India Chair

In November and December 2024, IEEE MOVE Outreach India conducted a series of impactful disaster awareness and STEM workshops across India, focusing on disaster preparedness, climate change, and sustainability. These initiatives aimed to educate and empower students, fostering a safer, more resilient future. On 16 November, a disaster awareness program was held in Puttur, in collaboration with Vivekananda College of Engineering and Technology, benefiting 150 students from five government schools in the region. In addition to disaster preparedness, MOVE India organized several STEM workshops focused on climate change and sustainability. On 9 November, a workshop in Bangalore engaged 30 students, while on 8 November, three schools in Manipal participated in workshops, reaching a total of 70 students. From 7-8 December, MOVE India showcased its Climate Change STEM kits at AISYWLC'24 in Chennai, where delegates and students expressed appreciation for the hands-on learning experience. On 21 December, a workshop titled “Battling Climate Change and Disasters” was held for Atal Tinkering Lab students at Pilikula Science Centre, in collaboration with Canara Engineering College, benefiting 50 students. From 5-24 December, IEEE Madhya Pradesh Section hosted five additional STEM workshops on climate change, reaching about 150 students across various locations. Ms. Sadhana Attavar, Vice Chair of Humanitarian Technology Activities IEEE India Council and Chair of MOVE India, attended the MOVE Global Committee meeting in Dallas, Texas, on 22 November, where a MOVE USA Truck was showcased. MOVE India has made significant strides in disaster preparedness, climate change awareness, and community empowerment through education and technology.