Join us & meet some new people! Lots of changes are in motion, and it’s time to ensure our intentions are understood and questions get answered. With that goal, please join us for some IDRN updates and Q&A between July 31 and August 3rd…. with additional dates/times added below. If you haven’t checked it out, IDRN has a newly-updated white paper that also provides much more detail than has been available previously. These Q&A sessions can help address questions about this document as well. Link to the White Paper Latest options added: #005 August 6 @ 11:00am Central...
Commentary / Events / Exec Dir Journal
Ready, Fire, Aim: A Live Experiment in Disaster Response
“Shoot. Aim. Ready.” While it may sound backward, this approach is an incredibly effective way to learn and make progress. For much of my life, I’ve tackled new challenges knowing that the first attempt is less about perfection and more about discovery. This initial effort is never a waste; it provides invaluable experience and clarifies what truly matters for a more focused, effective second attempt. This week, we are putting that philosophy into practice… again. What We’re Doing (July 21-23) From Monday to Wednesday this week, we are launching a proof-of-concept for the IDRN Correspondent Program. This experiment is already...
Events / Spotlight
Drone Training in Singapore
Friday August 22, 2025 & Saturday August 23, 2025 If you’re in Southeast Asia and are interested, make note that IDRN’s longtime friend Singaporean-based HAND (Humanitarian Assistance Network for Development) will be hosting special training for drone use in disaster response.
Commentary / Exec Dir Journal
Knowing It Will Flood Again
I recently came across a NOAA map that I had never seen before. It makes it clear that flooding is not a new issue. As I think about some of my friends from other countries, there are places that are practically defined by flooding. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a cornerstone of the United States’ scientific endeavors, employs a dedicated workforce of approximately 12,000 individuals. NOAA’s diverse responsibilities are carried out by its major line offices: the National Weather Service, the National Ocean Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service,...
Commentary / Exec Dir Journal
Why Best Practices?
Over the past year or so, I have often used a fictional scenario to explain why and how the International Disaster Response Network will work to highlight best practices as we are reshaping IDRN to have new priorities. This fictional scenario starts with the idea of four or five different groups independently distributing food in a disaster situation. The example offered is that of the groups distributing the food, it’s likely that some are doing a better job than others… noting that when it’s done poorly, it’s possible that a riot can emerge. With pointing that out, the idea is...
Commentary / Exec Dir Journal
Actual Grassroots
People often struggle to feel or act like an owner if they don’t come up with the original idea or plan. This dynamic seems understandable and reasonable. Pointing this out is a small step towards encouraging everyone to intentionally set that aside temporarily for the benefit of all. How everyone perceives the call to register with the International Disaster Response Network matters. Our desire to be an actual grassroots network is tricky. It is true that most see something as grassroots as springing up organically. In this case, the desire is to encourage grassroots groups and networks to register with...
Commentary / Events / Exec Dir Journal
New Connections: On the Road
Simply put, I am in a season of expanding our connections and growing the network. This posting is made in the midst of a flurry of travel. Here is a quick review of some recent meetings where connections have been made. This is just a quick update as we head to Thailand tomorrow and during the following week, we’re scheduled to be in Turkey again. DRRN – Birmingham, Alabama In mid-February, I was privileged to meet with a number of people and groups who have been actively working the Helene aftermath as part of a US-based regional meeting of response...
Commentary / Exec Dir Journal
Not a New Idea
I’m in the midst of a season of travel with Birmingham (two weeks ago), London (last week), Miami (next week), Turkey (mid-March). Expanding the visibility of IDRN through direct connections and networking conferences is a very different proposition than is general mass marketing. There will be a time for that, but please hear my thoughts on why that’s not the way to re-launch this network. First-hand connections and introductions are preferred, even though they do take more time and effort. The quality makes the difference and will translate into a more valuable network. When you ponder how this works, make sure...
Commentary / Exec Dir Journal
Daily Posts on “X”
We’re already halfway through the first full month of 2025. Wow! I’ve been posting to my personal “X” account almost every day regarding my work or thoughts regarding IDRN. I thought it would be interesting to see how AI might make sense of my various posts. Note, I’ve been writing on whatever is striking me that day. In other words, there is not an overarching, preplanned narrative. So, I was interested to see if AI might make sense of it all. Here’s the way it made sense of all my postings so far. You can see the actual original entries...
Commentary / Exec Dir Journal / Video
Challenges of Independent Responders
There is a very real and recurring challenge that almost always comes up during any larger disaster event and the subsequent response efforts. The challenge is when “regular people” bump into the professional responders. This is not always a problem. Most of the time, there is a way to minimize friction and get everyone working together – at least at a reasonable level. But sometimes, even when people try to do the right thing, it can get frustrating. We have prepared a video commentary based on a local TV news station report from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. This particular...