High Alert Institute

Meet Your High Alert Institute

 

 

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OUR PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

 

Established in the wake of 9/11, the High Alert Institute, Inc. became a 501(c)3 educational public charity in 2011. Headquartered in Lake Wales, Florida, the High Alert Institute is dedicated to All Hazards One Health One Nature research & education across the globe. With the end of the pandemic, the Institute’s mission is pivoting disaster-readiness for humans to include animal welfare organizations and technological solutions to the looming climate disaster.

The High Alert Institute team spent the first two decades after 9/11 working with our Federal Partner Agencies to improve disaster readiness, pandemic preparedness and mental wellness across the disaster life cycle for hospitals, frontline workers, and first responders. Given our expertise in healthcare and research, we were called upon to assist with Social Determinants of Health, the COVID-19 pandemic response and the health impacts of pollution and climate change. In 2022, the Institute is pivoting to a post-pandemic approach to fulfilling Our Vision and Our Mission in an All Hazards, One Health, One Nature (AHOHN) Framework. We are excited to add a new focus in support of animal owners, animal caretakers, animal shelters, and animal welfare organizations to be disaster-ready.

The Institute advances awareness, resilience and sustainability in an AHOHN Framework through its four divisions and its digital publications. The Institute’s four divisions include:

    • AHOHN Education & Publishing Division
    • Animal Welfare & Mutual Aid Division
    • Environmental Stewardship & Drivers of Health Division
    • AHOHN Innovation & Technology Division

We promote accessibility of carbon negative choices and support preparedness/resilience for climate change and all hazards through multiple projects:

      • Establishing and sustaining the One Health And Nature Alliance (OHANA) – a joint venture between nonprofit and for-profit companies – to develop, deploy, and study the outcomes of green remediation and waste-to-energy technologies
      • Establishing and sustaining the Advanced Learning One Nature Alliance (ALOHA) – a joint venture between nonprofit and for-profit companies – to develop and deploy software solutions supporting preparedness/resilience to meet climate change and all hazards
      • Designing and renovating our facility, using commonly available materials and technologies, to be the most energy-efficient renovation in North America
      • Testing off-the-shelf renewable energy systems including solar, wind, and battery backup for reliability in extreme weather conditions
      • Developing, patenting, and bringing to market new and reimagined renewable energy technologies
      • Coordinating freshwater exotic aquatic animal rescues and shelters under a mutual aid compact.

      On 28 September 2022, the High Alert Institute achieved a new bar in carbon negativity. Their facility, located in a central Florida nature preserve, completed 100% repayment to the grid of all power used on site since renovations began 9 years ago. Additionally, their facility recycles over 95% of all solid and liquid waste produced.

      On 04 December 2023, as part of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), the High Alert Institute was recognized by the Whitehouse and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for their public commitments to decarbonize operations, advance technologies to assist healthcare institutions in meeting sustainability obligations, and improve health and resilience in the face of climate change.

DECADES OF IMPACT

From the beginning of our mission in February 2002 through June 2022, the High Alert Institute is proud to have served the disaster-readiness needs of North America. Highlights of our impact over the past 20 years are highlighted below, as we look forward to the coming decades of service:

  • Individuals Trained in Disaster Behavioral Health & Resilience = 10,704
  • Frontline Healthcare Workers Trained for Disaster & Pandemic = 5,821
  • Corporate & Hospital Leadership Trained for Disaster & Pandemic = 1,363
  • Individuals Trained in Social Media Crisis Communications & Targeted Messaging = 898
  • Corporations & Hospital Systems Trained for Disaster & Pandemic = 360
  • Health Departments & Government Agencies Trained for Disaster & Pandemic = 128
  • Animals Sheltered During the Pandemic = 200
  • Articles Published in the Mass Media = 79
  • Special Duty Projects for Partner Agencies = 4
  • Photos4Good contributed = 1313

TIMELINE OF SERVICE

2/1/2002
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2/1/2002

Disaster Life Support of Florida (DSL-FL) founded by Dr. Maurice A. Ramirez and Shabumi, Inc.

2/3/2005
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2/3/2005

DSL-FL incorporated as Disaster Life Support of North America (DLS-NA) by Dr. Maurice A. Ramirez, Dr. David McCann, Dr. Brian Brown & Shabumi, Inc.

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DLS-NA becomes High Alert, LLC10/18/2005

12/31/2005
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12/31/2005

Shabumi, Inc. leaves High Alert, LLC

January 2006 - June 2012
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January 2006 - June 2012

High Alert presents BDLS and CDLS across North America

June 2006 December 2009
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June 2006 December 2009

Joins with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine's DEEP Center to teach Disaster Behavioral Health

9/14/2006
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9/14/2006

High Alert forms three subsidiaries:

– registered publishing house
– disaster technology services firm
– disaster education equipment leasing division.

January 2007 December 2011
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January 2007 December 2011

Trains 126 hospitals across Florida to be Disaster-Ready

12/31/2007
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12/31/2007

Dr. Brian Brown retires from High Alert

June 2008 January 2010
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June 2008 January 2010

Trains hospitals and frontline healthcare in Florida, Colorado and Pennsylvania for Disaster and Pandemic

9/11/2008
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9/11/2008

Allison A. Sakara, RN, MSN, NP, PHRN joins High Alert

12/31/2008
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12/31/2008

David McCann, MD retires from High Alert

1/1/2009
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1/1/2009

Kristin Winer, MBA joins High Alert as CFO

January 2010 March 2010
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January 2010 March 2010

High Alert is now High Alert International with an Institute division: Deploys to Carrefour, Haiti after 2010 earthquake

April 2010 June 2010
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April 2010 June 2010

Coordinates with US Universities and not-for-profits for Clinton Bush Foundation

February 10, 2011
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February 10, 2011

High Alert International becomes High Alert Institute, Inc., a 501c3 Not for Profit

Founding Officers & Directors: Allison A. Sakara, Kristin Winer, Dr. Maurice A. Ramirez, Dr. John Davis, Dr. Heidi Cordi, Dr. Jeanne LeBlanc, Dr. Martin (Ed) Thornton

June 22, 2011
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June 22, 2011

Dr. Fredrick Slone & Dr. Karl Kelley join High Alert Institute Board of Directors

August 9, 2011
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August 9, 2011

Board Member David McCann, MD passed away

9/11/2011
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9/11/2011

9/11 Attacks on the United States of America

January 1, 2013
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January 1, 2013

High Alert Institute moves to Tiger Creak Forest facility

January 2014 November 2016
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January 2014 November 2016

High Alert Institute researches Florida non-coastal wind speeds

11/3/2014
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11/3/2014

Tiger Creek facility installs first 20.6 kW Solar PV

5/1/2015
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5/1/2015

Tiger Creek site invents and installs whole building ventilation control system for biosafety

June 2015 August 2020
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June 2015 August 2020

Researches whole building ventilation for biosecurity and addressing social determinants of health

4/17/2016
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4/17/2016

Mona Kelley, MSN joins the High Alert Institute

November 2016 October 2017
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November 2016 October 2017

Assists Polk County with writing Wind Energy Conversion System statute

3/1/2017
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3/1/2017

Tiger Creek site installs first 1500 gallon aquaculture and aquaponic system

11/1/2017
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11/1/2017

Tiger Creek site installs Florida's first grid-tied non-coastal Wind Turbine

7/19/2019
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7/19/2019

High Alert Institute Aquatic Pet Rescue & Shelter performs first rescue

January 2020 July 2020
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January 2020 July 2020

Collaborates with Medical and Regulatory Affairs Specialists, LLC (MRAS) to review the majority of the antiviral repurposing literature in an attempt to identify an existing licensed drug combination effective against COVID-19

3/2/2020
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3/2/2020

High Alert Institute publishes instructions and video for reconditioning single use PAPRs for Healthcare Frontline Workers

4/1/2020
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4/1/2020

Shelter fish spawn and over 300 fry (baby fish) hatch, named "KOIVID" by Facebook followers

4/28/2020
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4/28/2020

High Alert Institute published Essential Workers Bill of Rights

4/30/2020
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4/30/2020

High Alert Institute publishes position paper on Whole Building Ventilation for COVID-19

June 2020 December 2020
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June 2020 December 2020

Develops the Risk Oriented Antiviral Repurposing (ROAR) Against COVID-19 protocol to deploy existing effective licensed drug combinations

June 2020 May 2022
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June 2020 May 2022

Planning for Capital Expansion of Tiger Creek facilites

6/15/2020
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6/15/2020

High Alert Institute installs two 1000 gallon shelter tanks

6/30/2020
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6/30/2020

High Alert Institute publishes Risk Oriented Antiviral Repurposing (ROAR) Against COVID-19 literature review article online

1/23/2021
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1/23/2021

Co-Chairperson Martin "Ed" Thornton, DO passes away

4/30/2022
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4/30/2022

Dr. Fredrick Slone, Dr. Karl Kelley & Mona Kelley leave High Alert Institute Board of Directors at end of service term

4/30/2022
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4/30/2022

Zachary Walters joins the High Alert Institute as a Board Member and as Secretary/Treasurer

4/30/2022
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4/30/2022

Amy Lynn Walters joins the High Alert Institute as a Board Member and as Asphasia and Neural Injury Ambassor

5/1/2022
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5/1/2022

David Billingsley, Sadie Cooke and Monique Tapie join the High Alert Institute Board of Directors

5/27/2022
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5/27/2022

Three-year pilot Aquatic Animal Shelter program approved as Animal Welfare expansion of High Alert Institute Mission

5/27/2022
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5/27/2022

Joy of Koi program approved by Board of Directors as High Alert Institute's first awarded grant program

5/27/2022
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5/27/2022

Capital Campaign for expansion of Tiger Creek facilities approved by the Board of Directors

May 2022 PRESENT
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May 2022 PRESENT

High Alert Institute partners with animal welfare organizations nationwide to advance Wholistic Disaster Readiness for people and the animals in their care

7/21/2022
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7/21/2022

Tiger Creek facilities install an additional 28.2 kW of Solar PV for a total of 63.4 kW of renewable energy (solar & wind)

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High Alert Institute

4800 Ben Hill Trail
Lake Wales, FL 33898
Office: 863.696.8090
FAX: 407.434.0804

Info@HighAlertInstitute.org

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Griffin Works offers Pawsitive Interactions with Service Dogs During Response Operations©, an audience-customized training that breaks down barriers by offering hands-on handling training and demonstrations with working service dogs for fire departments, EMS agencies, and public safety organizations.

Part of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium and home to the National Emergency Response and Recovery Training Center, TEEX has been leading homeland security training since 1998. The major TEEX programs include fire and rescue, infrastructure and safety, law enforcement, economic and workforce development, and homeland security. As a member of The Texas A&M University System, TEEX is unique in its ability to access a broad range of emerging research and technical expertise. Beginning with course design and development all the way through hands-on instruction and national certification testing, TEEX delivers comprehensive training through both classroom and hands-on instruction and as online courses.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) was created by Congress in 2000 as part of the Children’s Health Act to raise the standard of care and increase access to services for children and families who experience or witness traumatic events. This unique network of child-serving professionals, caregivers and young adults, researchers, and national partners is committed to changing the course of children’s lives by improving their care and moving scientific gains quickly into practice across the U.S. The NCTSN is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and coordinated by the UCLA-Duke University National Center for Child Traumatic Stress (NCCTS). 

The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) is part of the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The EMI provides national leadership in developing and delivering training to ensure that individuals and groups having key emergency management responsibilities possess the requisite skills to effectively perform their jobs.

The High Alert Institute maintains a list of reviewed courses provided by governments, universities and professional organizations. This list is geared towards the non-emergency management person who participates in disaster planning, preparedness, response, recovery or mitigation as part of their job responsibilities.

The High Alert Institute has partnered with Shutterstock to distribute stock images from the nature images donated by our supporters. For eligible stock images, Shutterstock will donate a portion of the royalty to the High Alert Institute. There is no cost to charitable organizations or to Shutterstock customers.

For eligible purchases through AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to the High Alert Institute. There is no cost to charitable organizations or to AmazonSmile customers. All you need to do is push the SMILE NOW button and select to support THE HIGH ALERT INSTITUTE on AmazonSmile.

Koi need forever homes, too! For pond enthusiasts, freshwater exotic and ornamental fish may not be available through pet stores or rescues in their area. The High Alert Institute Aquatic Pet Shelter Rehoming Program will be happy to assist you in stocking your new pond or adding a new finned friend to your school. Coming soon – when you adopt a Koi from the High Alert Institute Aquatic Pet Shelter Rehoming Program, we can arrange for delivery to your door anywhere in the continental United States.

Have you always wanted a Koi pond but don’t have the space one? Sponsor a Koi in our community shelter pond and we send you photos of your sponsored animal. Coming soon are live Koi Cameras above and below the water to enjoy your sponsored Koi anytime.

Dumping of freshwater non-native species and exotic aquatic pets into wild habitats is a man-made disaster that is truly preventable. The Institute’s Aquatic Pet Welfare Partnership works to raise awareness and reduce the impact on healthy ecosystems through education, as well as rescue and rehoming. Joined by champions of animal welfare and environmental stewardship, this  association of aquatic pet rescue operations and aquatic pet shelters across the United States aims to save our finned friends and preserve our waterways together.

Want to share our cause with family, friends, and colleagues? Looking for a non-traditional way to celebrate a birthday or honor someone special? Support the Institute by starting your own Peer-to-Peer fundraising challenge! Let your contacts know why our mission is important to you and what they can do to support your cause. START YOUR OWN FUNDRAISER for the High Alert Institute.

From the staffing pool to the shelter ponds, from the boardroom to the classroom, and from reading the science to writing the analyses, High Alert Institute programs and services benefit from the experience, expertise, and generosity of our volunteers. Put your talents to use for good and to good use – VOLUNTEER TODAY.

Make your donation twice as nice by rehoming aquatic pets and providing a rehabilitation companion pet to a deserving person, family, or facility. Sponsor part or all of a Joy of Koi Program pond installation – complete with rehomed koi – and give the gifts of love and recovery.

Professional photographers, amateurs, and legal copywrite holders are all welcome to participate in the High Alert Institute Nature Photo Donation Program. Sales of the images benefit the Institute and donors are eligible for tax deductions equivalent to the fair market value of their photos. Landscapes, seascapes, animals, flowers – all may be accepted – whether new or vintage  images. People may be included in the photo but only if unidentifiable (i.e., blurred figures at a distance).

Did you know that unused patents and copyrights can be donated to charity? Intellectual Property (IP) just sitting on a shelf will lose value as it becomes obsolete. The High Alert Institute IP Donation Program seeks to rescue stranded, technology-related IP with the potential for development into marketable products. Once accepted by the program, the owner/inventor is eligible for a tax deduction equivalent to the fair market value of the IP. The Institute receives the patent licensing fees or revenue from the sale of the IP to businesses, helping us to fund our mission. In turn, businesses are able to advance their markets and create jobs for less money than starting a project from scratch.

Disasters are defined as situations in which needs exceed or overwhelm available resources. Some disasters affect an entire community, while other disasters impact individuals and families. Crises of physical or psychological health can be very personal disasters.
The therapeutic value of pets during illness, trauma, and recovery is well established. And Koi fish may be well suited for people who are not able to provide verbal pet commands or physically care for pets like dogs and cats. Koi ponds are also a source of beauty and peace, providing an ideal setting for quiet reflection or meditation.
We are working to partner with pond installers and aquatic pet rescues/shelters to offer free or reduced-cost ponds with rehomed Koi fish to people seeking this type of pet therapy.

Disasters disrupt life and impact our sense of personal, family, and community safety. Survivors and responders alike often are not aware of the emotional, psychological or spiritual challenges that they may face from disaster onset through recovery. With two decades of experience training responders and communities to prepare for the behavioral health aspects of disasters, we will continue to provide education and a curated list of resources to groups or individuals.

Non-medical factors that impact overall health are termed Social Determinants of Health or SDoH. Noise pollution, poor air quality, and poor water quality are three environmental factors known to have a strong link to overall health. And the same environmental factors that impact humans impact their pets and other animals in their care. We continue to assist in advocacy, education, and technology development to mitigate the impact of SDoH on humans and animals alike.

Our efforts in shelter and rescue are the main focus of our environmental stewardship, reducing the environmental impact of non-native aquatic animals being dumped into public waterways. The High Alert Institute also assists innovators with the design, development, and evaluation of green and renewable energy technologies. Reducing the carbon footprint associated with disaster preparedness, response, and recovery furthers our continued mission to mitigate risk and improve resilience.

We partner with public and private organizations, sharing resources and fostering partnerships to improve disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, and mitigation.

The High Alert Institute team has over a century of combined research experience in medical, nursing, behavioral health, and disaster sciences. Our team provides support to researchers and technology developers through comprehensive literature searches and reviews, as well as failure mode database searches and adjudicated reviews.

When disaster strikes, most aquatic pet owners have limited options to secure the safety of their pets. Sheltering in place may not be possible if there is no power to provide aeration and “pet-friendly” shelters do not include ponds or aquariums. Our goal is to provide an option for aquatic pet owners in need of rescue and shelter for their finned friends.

Our goal is to share our two decades of disaster readiness experience with animal welfare organizations, shelters, caretakers, and pet owners, as they implement contingency  plans for natural and manmade disasters.