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)

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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).