When Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck the Southeastern United States in September and October 2024, their winds—as high as 290 kilometers per hour—destroyed houses and buildings, uprooted trees, took down power lines, and damaged roads. The storms also led to massive flooding throughout the region. Damage to basic services such as electricity meant survivors couldn’t keep their cellphones charged to stay in contact with loved ones anxious to hear updates, and they couldn’t access the Internet to learn 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 zones to provide power, light, and connectivity. The vehicles made the situation more bearable for the hurricane survivors and first responders.
The three vehicles in the IEEE MOVE program provide U.S. communities with power and communications capabilities in areas affected by widespread outages due to natural disasters. All three were deployed to areas affected by Helene and Milton.
“Hundreds of Red Cross clients and dozens of staff members were helped by the technologies brought to the disaster sites by the MOVE vehicles, underscoring the critical support IEEE provides in times of crisis,” says Loretta Arellano, IEEE MOVE director.
Providing post-disaster assistance
IEEE MOVE volunteers often collaborate with the American Red Cross to provide electricity to the organization’s shelters with generators on MOVE-1 and MOVE-2.
The trucks’ generators also support charging access for up to 100 smartphones simultaneously, bolstering communication capabilities for Red Cross staff and disaster survivors.
“Hundreds of Red Cross clients and dozens of staff members were helped by the technologies brought to the disaster sites by the MOVE vehicles, underscoring the critical support IEEE provides in times of crisis.” –Loretta Arellano, IEEE MOVE director
For areas with compromised communication infrastructure, the trucks connect via Starlink satellite dishes to restore Internet and phone capabilities.
MOVE-3, a van introduced in August, offers additional flexibility. Unlike its larger predecessors, MOVE-3’s modular design allows its power and telecommunications equipment to be removed and set up at Red Cross facilities.
That “leave help behind” capability enables the van to deploy equipment while the team moves to other locations, says Tim Troske, an IEEE senior member and the MOVE-3 operations lead.
The van is strategically positioned to support areas affected by wildfires, earthquakes, and other calamities.
“Realizing the IEEE mission of advancing technology for humanity is why we volunteer to do this work,” –Walt Burns, IEEE MOVE
“If a natural disaster were to occur in Hawaii, it would take too long to ship the van there,” notes IEEE Senior Member Walt Burns, a MOVE volunteer. “But the van could be driven to the airport so a MOVE volunteer could unload the equipment and put it on a plane to be sent across the Pacific via air freight.”
MOVE-3’s design meets crucial needs. Instead of a diesel generator, it has a 4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack capable of powering telecom services for up to 48 hours on a single charge. The battery can be recharged by a portable solar panel or the vehicle’s alternator.
The fleet’s capabilities proved invaluable in the aftermath of Helene and Milton, Arellano says.
“Realizing the IEEE mission of advancing technology for humanity is why we volunteer to do this work,” Burns says.
