For much of the world, there's no reliable way to call for help in an emergency. In Mwanza, Tanzania, local doctor Marko Hingi decided that wasn't acceptable. Working with local motorcycle taxi drivers, Dr. Hingi built an emergency medical system from scratch, and in this episode he shares exactly how he did it.

To learn more or get in contact with Dr. Hingi and the Tanzania Rural Health Movement (TRHM), visit their website.

Follow Tanzania Rural Health Movement:

Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | LinkedIn 

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Show Contents

• Background to the Tanzania Rural Health Movement (00:20)
• Building an Emergency Response System From Scratch (04:05)
• Training Emergency Motorcycle Responders (08:16)
• Branding and Marketing the Services and Motorcycle Responders (16:20)
• Building Infrastructure with Response Times as the Main Goal (20:15)
• What Happens When a Motorcycle Won’t Work for Transport (24:30)
• Goals and Challenges in the Future (28:55)
• How to Connect with TRHM (33:55)

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HOST

Jason Friesen is the Founder and Executive Director of Trek Medics International, a 501c3-registered nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated to improving access to emergency response networks in communities across the globe through innovative mobile phone technologies.

Learn more about Trek Medics International by visiting their website, and for more info on the Beacon Crisis Response Platform visit here.

Follow Trek Medics on: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Theme song: "Happy Feliz" by ¡Big Grande! (used with permission).

When disasters hit, people want to help, and one of the best ways to do so is by donating money directly to disaster response organizations that are serving on the front lines. But as online fundraising becomes easier, scam artists are also getting more savvy, and people who want to support response efforts are increasingly suspicious, asking important questions like, "How can I be sure the money is being used the right way?" and "How do I even know whether this organization is really helping?"

In this episode, we interview Michael Thatcher, CEO of Charity Navigator, a US-based non-profit organization whose mission is to make philanthropic giving more transparent by providing the tools and resources to help donors at any economic level give more effectively. Michael discusses the current state of philanthropic giving for disaster response, with real-life examples from recent disasters, as well as some tips and tools to help you decide which organizations to support when disaster strikes.

Learn more about Charity Navigator by visiting their website.

Follow Charity Navigator: LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram

Follow Michael: LinkedIn | 

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• Background on Charity Navigator (00:20)
• Example of How Charity Navigator Works (01:30)
• Trends in the Way People are Giving (04:10)
• Effects of Overfunding New Organizations (07:45)
• How the Rating System Works (10:50)
• Assessing Impact an Organization Has (16:35)
• Ways to Assess When They are not on Charity Navigator (20:25)
• Indirect vs Direct Expenses (25:10)
• Changes Michael has Seen and Trends for the Future (30:35)

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HOST

Jason Friesen is the Founder and Executive Director of Trek Medics International, a 501c3-registered nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated to improving access to emergency response networks in communities across the globe through innovative mobile phone technologies.

Learn more about Trek Medics International by visiting their website, and for more info on the Beacon Crisis Response Platform visit here.

Follow Trek Medics on: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Theme song: "Happy Feliz" by ¡Big Grande! (used with permission).

ComMed is a non-profit community-based emergency medical response service operating in Johannesburg, South Africa. ComMed's aim is to provide life-saving services to those in need, to those who do not have access to private services, to those who need an emergency medical intervention or to those who simply need support. In this episode, Neil Van Der Merwe discusses the unique role they fill in South Africa's EMS system, and how they fulfill their mission of "All Mission, Non-Profit". 

To learn more about ComMed visit their website.

To get in touch directly you can email [email protected] 

Follow ComMed: Facebook | Instagram 

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• Overview of ComMed's services (00:25)
• Intermediate vs Advanced Life Support in South Africa (04:00)
• Types of calls ComMed responds to (10:20)
• How ComMed reaches those in need (13:40)
• How ComMed managed a successful launch during Covid (16:40)
• Level and methods of training for volunteers (23:15)
• ComMed's mission, vision and values (27:15)
• Advice for those wanting to launch a similar service (30:45)

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HOST

Jason Friesen is the Founder and Executive Director of Trek Medics International, a 501c3-registered nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated to improving access to emergency response networks in communities across the globe through innovative mobile phone technologies.

Learn more about Trek Medics International by visiting their website, and for more info on the Beacon Crisis Response Platform visit here.

Follow Trek Medics on: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Theme song: "Happy Feliz" by ¡Big Grande! (used with permission).

Jeff Schlegelmilch is the Director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University and the author of Rethinking Readiness: A Brief Guide to 21st Century Megadisasters. In this episode, Jeff discusses his latest book, the disasters that have the most potential for mass destruction, the relationship between NGOs and government agencies in disaster response, and much more.

The National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP) at Columbia University works to understand and improve the nation’s capacity to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. NCDP focuses on the readiness of governmental and non-governmental systems; the complexities of population recovery; the power of community engagement; and the risks of human vulnerability, with a particular focus on children.

To purchase Jeff’s book, Rethinking Readiness, visit here.

To learn more about the National Center for Disaster Preparedness, visit here.

Follow NCDP: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

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• Background on Jeffrey and the National Center for Disaster Preparedness (00:00)
• Inspiration for his book, Rethinking Readiness (07:10)
• Releasing a book on disasters during a pandemic (09:25)
• Funding challenges and the downstream effects on communities (13:20)
• Why droughts stand out as a domestic threat (18:40)
• The problems with US water ownership laws (22:15)
• Different eras of disaster response and the four sectors that respond (25:35)
• Role of NGOs and their effect on governmental response (30:30)
• What’s next for NCDP and preparedness as an industry (44:00)

Support the show

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HOST

Jason Friesen is the Founder and Executive Director of Trek Medics International, a 501c3-registered nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated to improving access to emergency response networks in communities across the globe through innovative mobile phone technologies.

Learn more about Trek Medics International by visiting their website, and for more info on the Beacon Crisis Response Platform visit here.

Follow Trek Medics on: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Theme song: "Happy Feliz" by ¡Big Grande! (used with permission).

Bob Jackson is the Founder and CEO of Roseland Ceasefire, an organization operating in the Chicagoland area whose mission is to develop and deploy proven violence mitigation techniques and actions to stop and/or reduce violence of all kinds in their community, with a particular emphasis on gang-related and interpersonal violence. Using education, social advocacy and philanthropy, Roseland works to improve overall community wellness.

Topics covered include the process of responding to a shooting, how Roseland Ceasefire recruits and trains their team members, how the 988 line impacts them, the direction of mental health services in Chicago and the US, and much more.

To learn more about Roseland Ceasefire and their mission, visit here. 

Follow on: Facebook | Reddit | Twitter

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Show Topics:

• What is Roseland Ceasefire and who do they serve (00:00)
• The process of getting called to a shooting (02:05)
• Relationship with the police departments (03:50)
• How Ceasefire recruits and trains their team members (05:00)
• Example case from call to conclusion (10:25)
• Deciding who on scene needs the intervention services (12:45)
• How Bob came to take on his role with Ceasefire (15:45)
• Changes Bob has seen in the community over his 18 years of service (17:00)
• Thoughts on 988 line and direction mental health services are headed (18:10)
• Metrics used to prove impact (19:50)
• Lessons learned that could help others just starting out (23:00)

Support the show

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HOST

Jason Friesen is the Founder and Executive Director of Trek Medics International, a 501c3-registered nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated to improving access to emergency response networks in communities across the globe through innovative mobile phone technologies.

Learn more about Trek Medics International by visiting their website, and for more info on the Beacon Crisis Response Platform visit here.

Follow Trek Medics on: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Theme song: "Happy Feliz" by ¡Big Grande! (used with permission).

Building an emergency response system from scratch is a tall order, particularly in low- and middle-income countries with limted experience managing emergency medical services. In Bangladesh, however, TraumaLink is proving how volunteer-based roadside emergency response systems can both save lives and be sustainable in communities where no such service previously existed.

In this episode, Dr. Jon Moussally, founder and executive director of TraumaLink, discusses how the organization came to be, how their volunteer retention stays so high, how they win and keep community buy-in, and much more.

To learn more about TraumaLink and the work they are doing, visit their website.

Follow TraumaLink: Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter

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Episode Contents

• How TraumaLink Started (00:00)
• Response systems in Bangladesh prior to TraumaLink (03:25)
• Recruiting partners and volunteers (04:40)
• Service delivery (07:20)
• Community outreach and messaging (08:50)
•  Responder training (10:50)
• Responder incentives (15:15)
• Building relationships with local hospitals (18:45)
• Government response from Bangladesh (23:45)
• Training the police department and their response to the program (26:55)
• Types of data collecting and used to demonstrate impact (32:25)
• Plans for the future and the scaling of TraumaLink (36:30)

Support the show

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HOST

Jason Friesen is the Founder and Executive Director of Trek Medics International, a 501c3-registered nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated to improving access to emergency response networks in communities across the globe through innovative mobile phone technologies.

Learn more about Trek Medics International by visiting their website, and for more info on the Beacon Crisis Response Platform visit here.

Follow Trek Medics on: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Theme song: "Happy Feliz" by ¡Big Grande! (used with permission).

When major disasters strike, organizations and volunteers from all around the world answer the call to respond. Empact Northwest is one of those  organizations, with more than 30 disaster deployments over the past decade, including their current deployment to support earthquake relief efforts in Turkey. Born in 2010 after responding to the Haiti earthquake, Empact has been serving communities across the globe ever since - saving lives, and building upon their mission.

Today on the show, Executive Director of Empact Northwest, Jake Gillanders, shares insights on a range of topics, including Empact's current response in Turkey, how they decide where and when to deploy, the world of NGOs pre- and post-Haiti, why preparedness and partnerships are so important, and a whole lot more. 

Empact Northwest is a non-profit, non-governmental entity providing rescue, medical, and logistical support to those affected by disaster worldwide; preparedness support to communities in need; and professional rescue training.

To donate rescue supplies to Empact’s mission, visit their Amazon list here.

To learn more about Empact Northwest, visit their website.

Want to apply to volunteer with Empact? Visit here!

Follow Empact: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

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Introduction (00:20)

Empact’s current deployment to Turkey (00:35)

Deciding where, and when, to go (01:50)

Type of personnel Empact staffs and deploys (03:40)

The immediate response to getting the call (05:30)

Inventory management for emergency response (07:25)

First decisions once on the ground (09:50)

Empact’s origins responding to the 2010 earthquakes in Haiti (12:45)

The revolution in the NGO community post-Haiti (19:30)

Why preparedness and partnerships are so important (22:10)

Future of Empact and evolving their mission (31:10)

Where to learn more and get involved (35:40)

Support the show

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HOST

Jason Friesen is the Founder and Executive Director of Trek Medics International, a 501c3-registered nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated to improving access to emergency response networks in communities across the globe through innovative mobile phone technologies.

Learn more about Trek Medics International by visiting their website, and for more info on the Beacon Crisis Response Platform visit here.

Follow Trek Medics on: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Theme song: "Happy Feliz" by ¡Big Grande! (used with permission).

Every year, the opioid epidemic steals more than 100,000 lives, costs more than $1.3 trillion and causes immeasurable heartbreak across North America. However, making opioid overdoses a thing of the past is a mission Brave Co-op believes it can achieve.

Brave is a technology co-op that makes overdose detection tools that activate life-saving community response. Today on the podcast Jason speaks with the Founder and CEO of Brave, Gordon Casey. They discuss Brave’s mission, the products and services they offer, why having compassion for and working directly with people who use drugs (pwud) is so important, the reason Gordon was set on a Co-op vs traditional LLC or corporation, and so much more.

To learn more about Brave, visit their website here. 

To get in touch with Gordon directly, email [email protected]

Follow Brave: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

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• What Brave does and how it got started (00:50)
• Developing tools through hands-on research in the field (04:30)
• Pushback received and how Brave responds (06:17)
• The FDA Challenge that started it all (10:31)
• Pivoting to a button based system for housing sites and winning the Ohio Opioid Technology Challenge (15:02)
• Expansion of Brave post-challenge win (21:31)
• Why a Co-op and the three types of members at Brave (26:13)
• Active programs and locations (33:00)
• The future for Brave and ideal partners(35:31)
• Working in Canada vs the US (39:51)
• Biggest lessons learned to pass on to new community response programs (45:04)

Support the show

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HOST

Jason Friesen is the Founder and Executive Director of Trek Medics International, a 501c3-registered nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated to improving access to emergency response networks in communities across the globe through innovative mobile phone technologies.

Learn more about Trek Medics International by visiting their website, and for more info on the Beacon Crisis Response Platform visit here.

Follow Trek Medics on: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Theme song: "Happy Feliz" by ¡Big Grande! (used with permission).

As any parent knows, children often get sick at night. But if these routine illnesses are left untreated, they can often turn to acute conditions by morning. So what are parents supposed to do when all the pediatric clinics close at 5pm? In Haiti, the MotoMeds Pediatric Health Hotline is transforming how parents can get treatment for sick children in the middle of the night.

In this episode, Molly Klarman, the Project Director of MotoMeds Healthline in Haiti shares about what MotoMeds does, who they serve, how they recruit their drivers and nurses, dealing with risk, building community awareness and government buy-in, and much more!

To learn more about MotoMeds, visit their website here. 

To get in touch with Molly directly, email [email protected] 

Follow MotoMeds: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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Show Topics

• What is MotoMeds (01:05)
• Haiti and the communities MotoMeds is serving (04:30)
• Recruiting the drivers (06:20)
• Driver compensation (08:00)
• Recruiting the nurses (09:55)
• Dealing with risk concerns from the drivers and nurses (11:40)
• Promotion and building community awareness (13:25)
• Operating during political upheaval and natural disasters (18:20)
• Launching a second location and the new challenges it presented (22:50)
• Working with the Haitian government (27:40)
• Future aspirations for MotoMeds (29:25)

Support the show

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HOST

Jason Friesen is the Founder and Executive Director of Trek Medics International, a 501c3-registered nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated to improving access to emergency response networks in communities across the globe through innovative mobile phone technologies.

Learn more about Trek Medics International by visiting their website, and for more info on the Beacon Crisis Response Platform visit here.

Follow Trek Medics on: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Theme song: "Happy Feliz" by ¡Big Grande! (used with permission).

Emergency 9-1-1 communicators serve as a crucial link between the public and first responders during emergencies. But what if the person calling 9-1-1 is deaf or hard of hearing? As the child of two deaf parents, Gabriella Wong learned how difficult it can be for persons with disabilities to find emergency assistance when her deaf father nearly lost his life because he couldn't communicate with 9-1-1.

In today’s episode, Gabriella shares more about that experience, the gap in services that exist for the deaf and hard of hearing community, and how she built the AccesSOS platform to overcome these challenges.

To learn more about AccesSOS visit their website.

To inquire about working together, fill out a partnership form here.

To get in touch with Gabby directly, email [email protected]

Follow AccesSOS on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

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EPISODE CHAPTERS:

AccesSOS and their mission (01:00)

The need for 911 services in the deaf and hard of hearing community (01:53)

Gabriella’s decision to take action and solve the problem (04:55)

Legacy companies services offered prior to AccesSos (06:22)

Going from problem recognition to we are going to build it (07:50)

Time between idea, writing code, and final product (13:58)

AccesSOS app launch (15:20)

Why New Mexico and specifically Santa Fe as the starting point (19:27)

Balancing learning in one location with wanting to expand to more locations (23:04)

AccesSOS ability to offer proof of concept that can help shape policy and advocacy (25:56)

The impact of the 988 rollout (28:20)

Types of funding that AccesSOS has received (31:30)

What does a partnership with AccesSOS look like and how would someone get in contact (34:42)

Immediate goals for 2023 (38:27)

Advice for those wanting to create a service for at risk communities or those trying to solve problems through technology? (43:07)

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Support the show

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HOST

Jason Friesen is the Founder and Executive Director of Trek Medics International, a 501c3-registered nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated to improving access to emergency response networks in communities across the globe through innovative mobile phone technologies.

Learn more about Trek Medics International by visiting their website, and for more info on the Beacon Crisis Response Platform visit here.

Follow Trek Medics on: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Theme song: "Happy Feliz" by ¡Big Grande! (used with permission).