When crisis strikes, every moment matters. The quicker Heart to Heart International (HHI) can mobilize, the greater the difference we can make. But rapid, effective response is only possible with strong preparation and training.
With the generous backing of FedEx, 2024–2025 has marked a turning point in HHI’s readiness programs. Expanded online courses, realistic simulations, and specialized training modules have equipped our staff and volunteers with the skills needed to handle the challenges of disaster response. This preparation ensures we can reach communities faster, deliver higher-quality care, and impact more lives.
The value of this investment became clear during hurricanes Helene and Milton, which tore through seven states in late 2024. These back-to-back emergencies put our systems to the test, but because of advanced training, our teams rose to the occasion. Volunteers who completed leadership modules stepped into critical roles, and one participant trained in our new Power and Communications program successfully managed all field technology for a 15-member unit. This freed medical staff to distribute $2.2 million in aid and care for more than 400 patients, including administering 239 essential vaccines.
This level of readiness has now become our standard. In April 2025, HHI conducted its largest Emergency Medical Team (EMT) simulation to date. Staff and volunteers worked together to establish mobile clinics, manage logistics, and triage patients in a controlled, real-world scenario. The goal was simple: ensure no one is learning for the first time during an actual deployment.
Before the exercise, only a handful of volunteers felt “very prepared” to deploy. Afterward, that number more than doubled, and every participant reported feeling more confident and capable. The training didn’t just build technical skills—it fostered trust, strengthened teamwork, and empowered leaders. One volunteer reflected, “Experiencing the entire process, from communication to patient care, showed how much planning goes into it. It really demonstrated HHI’s commitment, and that’s why I’m proud to be involved.”
Through the LearnUpon Learning Management System, HHI has also expanded access to training globally. Staff and volunteers can now study disaster medicine, logistics, cultural awareness, and more at any time. To date, 91 learners have completed 20 courses, with additional programs on the way. This ensures responders are prepared long before they set foot in the field.
Every training session is an investment in someone’s survival. Thanks to FedEx, HHI is stronger, faster, and better prepared to deliver care wherever it’s needed most.
We are deeply grateful to FedEx for making this progress possible. Together, we’re proving that with the right preparation, we can be there—ready to respond—whenever disaster strikes.
With the generous backing of FedEx, 2024–2025 has marked a turning point in HHI’s readiness programs. Expanded online courses, realistic simulations, and specialized training modules have equipped our staff and volunteers with the skills needed to handle the challenges of disaster response. This preparation ensures we can reach communities faster, deliver higher-quality care, and impact more lives.
The value of this investment became clear during hurricanes Helene and Milton, which tore through seven states in late 2024. These back-to-back emergencies put our systems to the test, but because of advanced training, our teams rose to the occasion. Volunteers who completed leadership modules stepped into critical roles, and one participant trained in our new Power and Communications program successfully managed all field technology for a 15-member unit. This freed medical staff to distribute $2.2 million in aid and care for more than 400 patients, including administering 239 essential vaccines.
This level of readiness has now become our standard. In April 2025, HHI conducted its largest Emergency Medical Team (EMT) simulation to date. Staff and volunteers worked together to establish mobile clinics, manage logistics, and triage patients in a controlled, real-world scenario. The goal was simple: ensure no one is learning for the first time during an actual deployment.
Before the exercise, only a handful of volunteers felt “very prepared” to deploy. Afterward, that number more than doubled, and every participant reported feeling more confident and capable. The training didn’t just build technical skills—it fostered trust, strengthened teamwork, and empowered leaders. One volunteer reflected, “Experiencing the entire process, from communication to patient care, showed how much planning goes into it. It really demonstrated HHI’s commitment, and that’s why I’m proud to be involved.”
Through the LearnUpon Learning Management System, HHI has also expanded access to training globally. Staff and volunteers can now study disaster medicine, logistics, cultural awareness, and more at any time. To date, 91 learners have completed 20 courses, with additional programs on the way. This ensures responders are prepared long before they set foot in the field.
Every training session is an investment in someone’s survival. Thanks to FedEx, HHI is stronger, faster, and better prepared to deliver care wherever it’s needed most.
We are deeply grateful to FedEx for making this progress possible. Together, we’re proving that with the right preparation, we can be there—ready to respond—whenever disaster strikes.
]]>
