Technical volunteers from IEEE Puerto Rico MOVE demonstrate how technology can improve humanity's wellbeing
A Tale from Puerto Rico: IEEE MOVE's Disaster Response Endeavors
Last May, I took a trip to Puerto Rico, not just for the sun, sand, and sea, but to attend an IEEE Governance Committee meeting. You know, the geeky tech stuff. While there, I visited the and met the passionate volunteers behind IEEE Puerto Rico MOVE, an initiative providing tech support to Red Cross and other disaster-Response groups worldwide.
In 2017, Hurricane Maria left Puerto Rico in shambles. IEEE stepped in, reaching out to Jen Castillo, then Puerto Rico IEEE Section chair, to offer assistance. The IEEE, the IEEE Foundation, the Humanitarian Activity Committee, along with a handful of IEEE friends, partnered with local Puerto Rican volunteers. Together, they raised funds and shipped over 500 solar lamps to the island.
This cooperative effort kickstarted discussions about launching IEEE MOVE in Puerto Rico. The American Red Cross, already with a local chapter, collaborated, leading to the birth of MOVE PR five years ago. Recognizing the unique challenges of Puerto Rico, volunteers opted for a more compact and portable disaster-response approach compared to the mainland USA.
Using this strategy, they created modular kits, capable of providing power by means of inverter battery banks powered by solar panels, and equipment to charge small devices like phones when conventional power sources are unavailable. The picture below shows some of these MOVE modules in their storage facility in San Juan.
To tackle communication issues common in disaster-stricken areas, the MOVE USA Radio team trained the MOVE PR volunteers to become licensed ham radio operators and equipped each modular kit with a portable antenna designed by MOVE USA volunteers.
These modular kits can create a reliable communication network, covering the whole island when deployed at strategic locations. Plus, the volley of support in Puerto Rico doesn't require week-long, or longer, deployments typical in mainland USA disasters – volunteers can rotate every few days.
For the past five years, MOVE Puerto Rico has supported the ARC in various disaster-response operations, offering technical support like equipment management, networking, and power generation. When not engaged in disasters, volunteers assist the local ARC with tech-related tasks.
And let's not forget about MOVE's commitment to STEM education. They organize outreach events promoting technical careers and emphasizing their impact on society. They also showcase IEEE's support for student development within STEM-related careers and how IEEE could be their professional home.
Francisco Carrero, MOVE Puerto Rico chair, shared, "Having experienced hurricanes in Puerto Rico firsthand and witnessing climate change's devastating impact, I found purpose in the MOVE Program. Volunteering gives me the chance to use my engineering skills for the good of my community. IEEE's mission, 'To foster technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity,' resonates with me. The MOVE Program allows me to pay forward the blessings I've received and feel a deep sense of fulfillment as I make a difference in my community."
Check out the picture below, showcasing some of the MOVE PR team in their rented workspace in San Juan. IEEE MOVE demonstrates how technology can be a powerful tool for good, aligning with IEEE's mission of advancing technology for the betterment of humanity.
In the wake of Hurricane Maria, IEEE MOVE's initiative in Puerto Rico acknowledged the need for a modular and portable disaster-response approach, utilizing science and technology to address communication issues in disaster-stricken areas. The MOVE PR team, partnering with the American Red Cross, has been leveraging IEEE's mission to foster technological innovation for the benefit of humanity by organizing outreach events, promoting STEM education, and providing technical support for disaster response operations in Puerto Rico.
