When Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck the southeastern United States in September and October 2024, their winds—up to 180 miles per hour—destroyed homes and buildings, uprooted trees, downed power lines, and damaged roads. The storms also led to massive flooding across the region. Damage to basic services such as electricity meant that survivors could not keep their mobile phones charged to stay in touch with loved ones eager to hear updates, and could not go online to find out where to turn for help.
In response, a fleet of disaster response vehicles, maintained by the IEEE MOVE (Mobile Outreach using Volunteer Engagement) program, rolled into the disaster areas to provide power, light and connectivity. Vehicles made the situation more bearable for hurricane survivors and first responders.
Three vehicles in the IEEE MOVE program provide power and communications capabilities to American communities in areas affected by widespread outages due to natural disasters. All three were deployed to the areas affected by Helene and Milton.
“Hundreds of Red Cross clients and dozens of employees have been helped by the technology brought to disaster sites by MOVE vehicles, underscoring the critical support IEEE provides in times of crisis,” said Loretta Arellano, director of IEEE MOVE.
Providing disaster relief
IEEE MOVE volunteers often work with the American Red Cross to provide electricity to the organization’s shelters with generators on MOVE-1 and MOVE-2.
The truck generators also support charging access for up to 100 smartphones simultaneously, boosting communication capabilities for Red Cross staff and disaster survivors.
“Hundreds of Red Cross clients and dozens of staff have been helped by the technology brought to disaster sites by MOVE cars, underscoring the critical support IEEE provides in times of crisis.” –Loretta Arellano, Director of IEEE MOVE
In areas with disrupted communications infrastructure, the trucks connect via Starlink satellite dishes to restore internet and telephone capabilities.
The MOVE-3, a van introduced in August, offers additional flexibility. Unlike its larger predecessors, the MOVE-3’s modular design allows its power and telecommunications equipment to be removed and erected at Red Cross facilities.
This ability to “leave help behind” allows the van to deploy equipment while the team moves to other locations, says Tim Troske, IEEE senior fellow and MOVE-3 operations manager.
The van is strategically placed to support areas affected by forest fires, earthquakes and other disasters.
“Recognizing IEEE’s mission to improve technology for humanity is why we volunteer to do this work,” —Walt Burns, IEEE MOVE
“If there was a natural disaster in Hawaii, it would take too long to get a delivery there,” notes IEEE Senior Member Walt Burns, a MOVE volunteer. “However, the van could be taken to the airport so that a MOVE volunteer could unload the equipment and put it on a plane to be flown across the Pacific.”
The MOVE-3 design meets key needs. Instead of a diesel generator, it has a 4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery that can power telecommunications services for up to 48 hours on a single charge. The battery can be recharged using a portable solar panel or vehicle alternator.
The fleet’s capabilities have proven invaluable in the wake of Helene and Milton, Arellano says.
“Recognizing IEEE’s mission to improve technology for humanity is why we volunteer to do this work,” says Burns.