NEWSLETTER 

JANUARY 2025

Editor: Katherine Grace August, PhD

 

 

In This Issue

  • News & Accomplishments
  • IEEE MOVE Training and Development
  • MOVE USA Update
  • MOVE India Update
  • Resources

News & Accomplishments

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

Jan_Awards_Bob Pellegrino, Roger Ding, and Grayson Randall (Photo by KG August)
[ Jan_Awards_Bob Pellegrino, Roger Ding, and Grayson Randall (Photo by KG August) ]

Bob Pellegrino, Roger Ding, and Grayson Randall (Photo by KG August)

Jan_Awards_Mary Ann Hellrigel and Grayson Randall (Photo by KG August)
[ Jan_Awards_Mary Ann Hellrigel and Grayson Randall (Photo by KG August) ]

Mary Ann Hellrigel and Grayson Randall (Photo by KG August)

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

Jan_Awards_Bob Pellegrino, Roger Ding, and Grayson Randall (Photo by KG August)
[ Jan_Awards_Bob Pellegrino, Roger Ding, and Grayson Randall (Photo by KG August) ]
Jan_Awards_Mary Ann Hellrigel and Grayson Randall (Photo by KG August)
[ Jan_Awards_Mary Ann Hellrigel and Grayson Randall (Photo by KG August) ]

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. 

IEEE MOVE Training and Development

Topic: Mass Casualty Response, by Speaker: Peter Teahen

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8:00 PM ET Tuesday, 28 January 2025

By David Sewell

IEEE MOVE volunteers may be asked to collaborate with or support other groups when responding to a disaster. IEEE MOVE Tech Talks provide an opportunity to introduce disaster response topics, groups and individuals with related experience.

On Tuesday, 28 January 2025 at 8:00 PM Eastern Time, the invited speaker, Peter Teahen will share an overview of his experience with mass casualty response following a disaster. Author of the book, “Mass Fatalities: Managing a Community Response,” Peter’s presentation will also cover multiple complex issues and practical guidance for communities and responders as they plan for, respond to, and recover from a mass fatalities incident.

As a volunteer, Peter has held leadership roles in more than forty-five major disasters including in the continental United States, Puerto Rico, and Guam, in Sri Lanka, in the Darfur Region of Sudan. Some of the incidents involved include: the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center, Hurricane Katrina, the Tsunami in Sri Lank in 2004, and the Earthquake in Haiti in 2010.

Peter serves in a volunteer role as national media spokesperson, and a Government Liaison Officer for the American Red Cross. He has been interviewed on programs including: Larry King Live, Good Morning America, Oprah, Weather Channel, Fox News, the British Broadcasting Company, and Al Jazeera.

Topic: Missouri Wing Civil Air Patrol, by Col. Jennifer Smith and Lt. Col. Michael Toedebusch

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Col. Jennifer Smith

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Lt. Col. Michael Toedebusch

8:00 PM ET Tuesday, 25 February 2025

By David Sewell

IEEE MOVE invited speakers on Tuesday, 25 February 2025 at 8:00 PM ET are Col Jennifer Smith, the Missouri Wing Civil Air Patrol (CAP), and Lt Col Michael Toedebusch, the Missouri Wing Civil Air Patrol Chief of Staff for Missions. They will discuss CAP aerospace, aviation, and STEM related curriculum and how MOVE can work with and support the Civil Air Patrol Cadet program serving thousands of cadets aged 12 to 21 through a program that uses aviation as a cornerstone.

CAP is a federally chartered non-profit corporation that also serves as the Air Force Auxiliary across eight regions composed of fifty-two wings, operating in fifty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico via detachments. The Civil Air Patrol United States Air Force, or CAP-USAF is headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. With more than 60,000 volunteers, CAP’s mission is supporting communities with emergency response across, diverse aviation and ground services, youth development and promotion of air, space and cyber power through aerospace education. CAP is engaged daily with a variety of missions and activities providing search and rescue, disaster response, and supporting counterdrug operations. 

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Wing_Civil_Air_Patrol

https://mowg.cap.gov/programs/missions/cadet-programs

https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/

https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104475/civil-air-patrol-us-air-force/

MOVE USA Update

2024: An Impressive Year for IEEE-USA MOVE

By Loretta Arellano, MOVE USA Chair

2024 was an exceptionally busy year for IEEE-USA MOVE! With three operational MOVE vehicles, the team supported four natural disasters and participated in 26 STEM and outreach events. Over the course of these activities, the IEEE-USA MOVE team collectively traveled an impressive 16,750 miles.

What’s Ahead for IEEE-USA MOVE in 2025?
As IEEE-USA MOVE enters its 9th year of operation, we’re gearing up for another impactful year. While we can’t predict the number of natural disasters that may occur, our teams stand ready. All three vehicles are fully maintained and prepared to deploy at a moment’s notice.

To ensure readiness, our drivers will undergo annual refresher training, and new drivers will receive comprehensive training. On the IEEE-USA STEM on the MOVE and outreach front, Mark Torres and Melody Richardson are coordinating an exciting calendar of events. Additionally, David Sewell has already arranged the first two Tech Talks and is actively planning the remainder of the year.

How You Can Get Involved
With so much activity planned, we’re looking for more volunteers to join us! Whether your interests lie in leadership, deployment, training, STEM, public outreach, fundraising, communications, or operations, there’s a place for you on the IEEE-USA MOVE team.

Sign up to volunteer for IEEE-USA MOVE today to make a difference! Visit here to express your interest and join the effort.

MOVE India Update

IEEE MOVE India Updates January 2025

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[ Image ]

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.

Resources

IEEE USA MOVE

MOVE Global

Volunteer Interest Form

To donate

MOVE LinkedIn

MOVE USA Facebook

MOVE Global Facebook

Tour the MOVE Truck - Virtually!

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