CHWWFD Roxbury Community Emergency Response Command Center

Roxbury Community Emergency Response Command Center

Call Sign: WSND77 Radio Service: GMRS

A CERT-aligned, CHW-led emergency preparedness, mobile response, food access, family support, and first responder resource coordination initiative serving Roxbury, Nubian Square, and Greater Boston.

Building Community Resilience Before, During, and After Emergencies

CHW Workforce Development, Inc. is developing the Roxbury Community Emergency Response Command Center, a community-based emergency preparedness and response support initiative led by Ali ABY Muhammed CCHW.

This project is designed to strengthen local readiness through Community Health Worker leadership, CERT-aligned volunteer training, mobile field support, emergency food distribution, family stabilization, first responder resource coordination, and backup emergency communications.

The Command Center will support — not replace — 911, EMS, fire, police, public health authorities, or official emergency management agencies.

For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 immediately.

Our Mission

The mission of the CHWWFD Roxbury Community Emergency Response Command Center is to build a trusted, organized, and culturally responsive emergency support system that helps vulnerable residents access safety, food, medical navigation, family support, and community resources during times of crisis.

We are committed to strengthening community resilience through training, coordination, preparedness, and partnership.

Program Overview

The Roxbury Community Emergency Response Command Center will serve as a neighborhood-level coordination hub for:

• Emergency preparedness education

• CERT-aligned volunteer training

• Mobile command van deployment

• Field triage support and medical navigation

• Food, water, and hygiene supply distribution

• Family counseling and Psychological First Aid

• Wellness checks for elders and vulnerable residents

• First Responder Resource Dashboard coordination

• CB radio backup emergency communications

• Partner referrals and community resource tracking

Core Project Components

1. Community Emergency Command Center

The command center will provide a central location for planning, volunteer coordination, resource tracking, emergency documentation, supply management, partner communication, and preparedness training.

It will help CHWWFD coordinate community support during events such as:

• Heat emergencies

• Severe weather

• Power outages

• Food access disruptions

• Public health emergencies

• Community violence incidents

• Large community events

• Shelter or housing disruptions

• Family crisis and recovery needs

2. Mobile Command Van

The CHWWFD Mobile Command Van will bring emergency support directly into the community.

The van is designed to support:

• Field triage and first aid readiness

• CPR/AED and naloxone response support

• Wellness checks

• Food and water distribution

• Hygiene kit distribution

• Family support and crisis navigation

• Charging station and communication support

• Referral to medical, behavioral health, housing, food, and emergency services

The van will not operate as an ambulance unless separately licensed and approved. Clinical care will only be provided by properly licensed clinical partners.

3. First Responder Resource Dashboard

CHWWFD is developing a secure First Responder Resource Dashboard to help track community needs and available resources in real time.

The dashboard will help answer:

What happened? Where is help needed? Who is assigned? What resources are available? What needs escalation?

Dashboard features may include:

• Active incident tracker

• Mobile van status

• Food distribution tracker

• Volunteer roster

• Resource inventory

• Partner referral directory

• Medical navigation tracker

• Family support tracker

• CB radio communication log

• After-action reporting

This dashboard will support coordination and reporting, but it will not function as a 911 dispatch system.

4. Emergency Food and Supply Distribution

CHWWFD will coordinate food, water, and supply distribution for residents impacted by emergency situations.

Support may include:

• Emergency food boxes

• Bottled water

• Hygiene kits

• Blankets

• Socks and basic clothing items

• Diapers and family supplies

• Senior food support

• Culturally responsive food access

• Referrals to local food pantries and food justice partners

5. Family Counseling and Psychological First Aid

Emergencies affect more than physical safety. Families may also need emotional support, grief care, crisis listening, and connection to behavioral health resources.

CHWWFD will provide trauma-informed family stabilization support through:

• Psychological First Aid

• Crisis listening

• Family reunification support

• Grief and trauma response

• Youth and caregiver support

• Behavioral health referrals

• Substance use and recovery referrals

• Follow-up wellness calls

6. CB Radio Emergency Communications Network

CHWWFD will develop a community-based CB radio emergency communications network as a backup communication tool during emergencies.

The CB radio network may support:

• Communication between the command center and mobile van

• Field team check-ins

• Food distribution coordination

• Emergency message logging

• Backup communication during phone or internet disruption

• Volunteer safety updates

CB Channel 9 will be reserved for emergency communications or traveler assistance only. Routine program operations will use a separate tested channel.

No private medical information, names, diagnoses, or confidential family details will be shared over CB radio.

CERT-Aligned Training

CHWWFD’s emergency response model will be aligned with Community Emergency Response Team principles.

Training areas may include:

• Disaster preparedness

• CERT organization

• Incident Command System basics

• CPR/AED and First Aid

• Naloxone and overdose response

• Disaster medical operations awareness

• Fire safety awareness

• Light search and rescue awareness

• Hazardous materials awareness

• Psychological First Aid

• Food distribution safety

• Radio communication protocols

• Volunteer safety and accountability

• Tabletop exercises and drills

Who We Serve

This initiative is designed to support:

• Roxbury residents

• Nubian Square community members

• Seniors and elders

• Families with children

• Unhoused and housing-insecure residents

• People with disabilities

• Residents with chronic health needs

• Residents experiencing food insecurity

• Youth and families impacted by trauma

• Community Health Workers

• Volunteers and community partners

• First responders and emergency preparedness partners

Leadership

Led by: Ali ABY Muhammed CCHW

Mr. Ali ABY Muhammed CCHW is the Founder and Executive Director of CHW Workforce Development, Inc. He brings extensive experience in Community Health Worker workforce development, harm reduction, overdose response, CPR/AED training, mental health support, homeless outreach, trauma-informed care, public health education, and community-based service.

His background includes work with vulnerable populations, homeless outreach, behavioral health settings, hospital systems, and community-based emergency response education.

Through CHWWFD, Mr. Muhammed is committed to building practical, trusted, and culturally responsive systems that protect vulnerable residents and strengthen community resilience.

Partnership Opportunities

CHWWFD is seeking partners to support this initiative.

We welcome collaboration with:

• Emergency preparedness agencies

• Public health organizations

• Hospitals and health centers

• Community health centers

• Behavioral health providers

• Food pantries and food justice organizations

• Faith-based organizations

• Senior housing providers

• Youth and family service agencies

• Local businesses

• Volunteer groups

• Foundations and funders

• Technology and dashboard development partners

• Radio communication volunteers

Partners may support the project through:

• Letters of support

• Training space

• Emergency supplies

• Food and water donations

• Volunteer recruitment

• Clinical referral partnerships

• Behavioral health referral partnerships

• Technology support

• Mobile command van sponsorship

• Funding and grant collaboration

• Community outreach

Partner With CHWWFD

Help us build a stronger, safer, and more prepared Roxbury.

CHW Workforce Development, Inc. is seeking partners, funders, volunteers, trainers, food access organizations, healthcare providers, and community leaders to support the Roxbury Community Emergency Response Command Center.

Together, we can strengthen emergency preparedness, protect vulnerable residents, and create a trusted community response system rooted in dignity, safety, and health equity.

Contact

CHW Workforce Development, Inc.

Founder & Executive Director:  Ali ABY Muhammed CCHW

Email: chwworkforce@gmail.com

Website: chwworkforce.com

Become a Partner

Request the Proposal Packet

Volunteer With CHWWFD

Support the Mobile Command Van

Donate Emergency Supplies

Contact CHWWFD