The Micro-Mobility Operational Detachment (MOD) is a field operations group to support logistic corridors and to connect communication nodes and resources in the greater Puget sound area. This group is designed to be both practical, but also testable so that it provides data to those who have been researching and developing these ideas for years for emergency management administrators locally, nationally, and globally.
In 2021, a core of first responders in the West Seattle region initiated field exercises to explore whether micromobile transit methods (such as bicycles) could effectively move resources in disaster conditions. They did this, in part, because Seattle’s Auxiliary Communications Service needed a car-free method of delivering batteries to resource hubs. With the assistance of the Seattle Emergency Hubs, the participants of these exercises (The “DART” cadre) demonstrated that cyclists had a much greater ability to deliver supplies and support than previously though
The exercises trained 6 individuals – both novice and experienced – in first aid, radio communication, and structural analysis/mitigation. This cadre covered a 16-square mile region, supplying resource islands with needed supplies and support.
The success of those 2021 exercises in West Seattle attracted attention from researchers, from the community, and from Seattle’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM). In an exploration with OEM, we founded the first of several MicroMobility Operational Detachment (MOD) Squads. These squads will train to work with Seattle’s Workforce Rally Points (WRP) to assist bringing the city back online after a major disruption event. This first squad is based in West Seattle; Additional squads are coming in Ballard and at least 2 other Seattle neighborhoods.
Training will span different roles within the squad, helping as many squad members to become proficient in as many relevant skills as possible; communication, organizational, medical, structural assessment, emergency resource placement, city resources, and of course the skills to maintain oneself and bicycle.
Interested parties are encouraged to fill out our google form.