The Crisis Response Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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 

– – – – – 

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)

Support the show

-- -- -- -- --

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 | 

– – – – –

• 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)

Support the show

-- -- -- -- --

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 it comes to domestic violence cases, law enforcement officers are trained to secure the scene, arrest perpetrators and keep families safe. But what they're not trained to do is provide social services to the survivors. In Las Vegas, the Metropolitan Police Department teamed up with SafeNest to close that loop -- and their partnership is showing exceptional success.

In this episode, SafeNest's CEO, Liz Ortenburger, talks about SafeNest's pioneering crisis response program and shares more on how SafeNest got its start, how the crisis response program works, the metrics they use to prove their success, how they deal with safety concerns, and much more.

To learn more about SafeNest and the services they offer, visit their website.

Follow SafeNest: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 

-- -- -- -- -- 

EPISODE CHAPTERS

SafeNest’s mission and services they deliver (01:20)

How SafeNest got started and growth it has experienced (04:40)

Addressing safety concerns for social workers responding to crisis scenes (12:15)

Step by step process of a domestic violence response (19:15)

Staff vs Volunteers at SafeNest and the training both receive (26:25)

Response time and other metrics being collected (35:30)

Money talks: using financial breakdowns to prove the need for programs (42:10)

Plans for future scaling of SafeNest (47:00)

Recommendations for groups starting out doing similar style work (54:05)

-- -- -- -- -- 

Support the show

-- -- -- -- --

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).

For much of the past two decades the US has been battling an “opioid epidemic”. Yet despite the near constant headlines, and the billions of dollars in government funding, fatal opioid overdoses continue to increase. Progress is so slow in coming, it makes one wonder if the government or communities are really doing anything about it – and if they are, why isn’t anything working?

In Hartford, Connecticut, street outreach workers with the Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance (CTHRA) respond to opioid overdoses alongside police, fire and EMS. In this episode, Mark Jenkins, CTHRA Founder and Executive Director, talks about CTHRA's work on the frontlines preventing fatal overdoses and much more.

To learn more about Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance visit their website here.

Follow CTHRA on: Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn

-- -- -- -- -- 

EPISODE CHAPTERS:

CTHRA's mission, goals, and objectives (00:30)

How CTHRA was founded (05:16)

First steps Mark took to start his own effort (07:39)

Why bare bones syringe exchange street outreach was the original service Mark focused on (09:55)

A day in the life of a street outreach team (21:07)

A day in the life of the mobile response team (23:08)

How CTHRA’s overdose response system works (36:23)

On-scene dynamics with 911 responders (40:39)

Security concerns of first responders (45:02)

Fentanyl misinformation (49:52)

How can we reduce fentanyl related deaths? (54:45)
 
Responding to critics (59:27)

The immediate goals for CTHRA (01:03:11)

Guiding principles that have worked for Mark while doing this work. (01:07:12)

-- -- -- -- --

Support the show

-- -- -- -- --

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).

While every crisis response team needs reliable communications, what's needed exactly can vary greatly. Fortunately, there's Twilio, a cloud-based communications platform that makes it easy for organizations to set up whatever communications tools needed to connect with people who need their help and expertise.

In this episode, we sit down with Devin Brooks, Program Manager of Crisis Response at Twilio.org to discuss:

• How you’ve likely interacted with Twilio’s platform but just didn’t know it
• How Twilio.org came to be
• When the Crisis Response team was put together and where their focuses are
• Some examples of Twilio’s software aiding recent crises efforts during Covid and the ongoing war in Ukraine
• How a single person can impact thousands with a little help from technology and so much more!

To learn more about Twilio.org visit their website.

Have a project you’d like to work with Twilio.org on? Talk to a Twilio team member here.

The Twilio Code Exchange program Devin referenced can be found here.

Follow Twilio: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter

-- -- -- -- --

Introductions (01:15)

Twilio’s Crisis Response team (04:25)

Evolution of Twilio’s Crisis Response team (07:40)

Humanitarian Crises that Twilio has played a role in responding (10:10)

Handling regulatory matters country to country (15:30)

Types of Crises Twilio is best suited to respond to (18:15)

Involvement and integration with the 988 line rollout (22:35)

A group wants to set up a hotline - how do they get in touch with Twilio to help? (27:00)

Managing costs for clients (31:15)

Examples of Twilio working with smaller, more localized organizations (33:20)

The goal of no code tools and some resources at Twilio and elsewhere that you can use right now (43:05)

-- -- -- -- --

Support the show

-- -- -- -- --

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).

Typically, when someone calls 9-1-1, they're asked if they need police, fire or EMS. But in Austin, Texas, an exciting program is transforming 9-1-1 simply by adding a fourth option: "Mental Health".

In this episode, Marisa Malik and Kedra Priest of Integral Care join the podcast to talk about the Expanded Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (EMCOT). EMCOT works with Austin first responders to divert jail bookings and emergency department (ED) admissions by providing real-time response for mental health crisis emergency calls. EMCOT practitioners provide short-term community-based interventions to stabilize a person in a psychiatric crisis and connect them with Integral Care services or other appropriate care.

To learn more about Integral Care Austin visit their website.

To get in touch with the Integral Care team call 512-472-HELP (4357).

To get in touch with Maris or Kedra directly, email them at:
Marisa.Malik@integralcare.org | kedra.priest@integralcare.org

-- -- -- -- -- 

EPISODE CHAPTERS:

How did the Expanded Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (EMCOT) get started? (01:15)

What is the EMCOT program and how does it work? (04:25)

Call screening (06:20)

Call volume (09:30)

Relationship with local EMS and Police  (12:05)

Coverage area of Austin EMCOT (14:35)

Recruitment (16:10)

The actual on-scene duties and services being offered (17:55)

Building partnerships with EMS and Police (20:50)

Scope of EMCOT and growth (27:35)

Community partnership building (31:15)

Impact metrics (33:55)

Cost of their services (38:55)

Integration with and impact of 988 (42:30)

Scaling the EMCOT program (44:50)

Lessons learned (46:15)

-- -- -- -- -- 

Support the show

-- -- -- -- --

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 gang violence claims a victim, there's always the chance that somone will be looking for payback. But who's responsible for stepping in and preventing more bloodshed? The medical staff who are busy treating the wounded? Law enforcement who are busy investigating the crime?

In this episode, Andrew Woods, Founder and Executive Director of Hartford Communities That Care (HCTC), joins the podcast along with two staff to talk more about HCTC's work responding to more than 2,000 violent crimes, providing crisis counseling, mental health support and access to wrap-around services in order to improve the lives of youth and adult victims of crime and their families.

Guests: Andrew Woods (Executive Director, HCTC), Shenell Benjamin (Response Team Director, HCTC), Tyrone Bynum Jr. (Senior Intervention Specialist, HCTC)

Learn more about Hartford Communities That Care and all the amazing work they are doing by visiting their website, following them on Facebook, or getting directly in touch by emailing: info@HartfordCTC.org

-- -- -- -- -- 

Introduction (00:00)

Welcome (01:04)

History of HCTC, services they offer, and how those services have grown or changed over the years (01:36)

Andrew’s background and HCTC timeline (05:00)

What is the Response Team within HCTC that Shenell runs, who all is a part of that team, and what services are they focused on offering (07:30)

What actually happens from the moment the call comes in from the hospital to when their services to the victims are complete (10:35)

What’s the state of mind entering a heightened emergency situation (14:38)

The training that HCTC provides its team and how those training best practices were developed (15:57)

Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI) trade association and what they can offer anyone wanting to get involved in the industry (18:10)

Establishing their response team as an authoritative organization within the community and building the necessary partnerships to do their work (19:00)

What kind of people are their teams looking for, and what qualities make for a great intervention specialist (21:45)

Starting a violence prevention organization (23:17)

Demonstrating value to the community and quantifiable impact to possible funding partners (25:45)

Opportunities for HCTC to scale, what their goals are, and how they plan to get there (30:25)

An experience from the field that hit close to home and why the information and data an organization like HCTC offers a community helps so much (35:13)

-- -- -- -- --

Support the show

-- -- -- -- --

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 info@commed.org.za 

Follow ComMed: Facebook | Instagram 

– – – – – 

• 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)

Support the show

-- -- -- -- --

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

– – – – – 

• 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

-- -- -- -- --

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

-- -- -- -- -- 

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

-- -- -- -- --

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).