First Up Foundation deploys EMT-certified storm chasers to tornado disaster zones within minutes — providing lifesaving first aid during the critical "golden hour" before traditional responders can arrive.
When tornadoes devastate small towns in the Midwest, survivors face critical gaps in the first hours.
Destroyed roads and overwhelmed local EMS mean critically injured people may wait an hour or more for treatment — dramatically lowering survival chances for severe trauma.
Tornadoes knock out cell towers, power lines, and internet. Families can't call for help. Officials can't coordinate. Confusion spreads when clarity is needed most.
Small towns with volunteer fire departments and minimal EMS can be quickly overwhelmed. State and federal aid takes hours or days to mobilize.
Based in Omaha, Nebraska, we primarily cover the states hit hardest by tornadoes:
We go where the weather takes us — ready to respond to significant events nationwide.
First Up Foundation combines the real-time tactics of experienced storm chasers with the discipline of emergency medical responders. We don't wait for 911 calls — we're already tracking the storm, positioning ourselves to move in the moment it's safe.
By arriving immediately as a disaster unfolds, our team provides lifesaving assistance during the critical window before traditional responders fully mobilize.
From early warnings to recovery support, we're with communities through every phase.
EMT-certified responders establish triage areas to treat injuries from minor cuts to life-threatening trauma. We stabilize patients on-site, increasing survival odds.
We deploy satellite phones, HAM radios, and hotspots to restore connectivity when networks are down — reconnecting communities with outside help.
Our storm chasers relay real-time tornado positions and paths to local authorities and residents, potentially giving communities extra minutes to shelter.
We carry and source essential supplies — water, food, blankets, flashlights — delivering to families in need, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
Psychological First Aid and faith-based emotional support help survivors process trauma. We listen, pray with those who welcome it, and connect families with resources.
We run workshops on tornado readiness, family emergency plans, and basic first aid — building resilience before the storm hits.
Our live-streamed damage assessments provide real-time intel to emergency services, helping prioritize rescue efforts and direct resources where they're needed most.
First Up Foundation was founded by Michael DeLange, a Nebraska native with over three decades of storm chasing experience and an EMT certification. Having witnessed the chaos and delays in tornado aftermath response firsthand, Michael created First Up to fill the critical gap between disaster and aid.
Our team includes trained storm chasers, EMTs, and HAM radio operators — all volunteers who believe that no family should wait hours for help after a tornado.
In trauma medicine, the first 60 minutes after a serious injury are critical — survival rates drop dramatically without treatment. After a tornado, rural communities often wait hours for outside help. First Up exists to be there during that golden hour, not after it's passed.
First Up coordinates with local emergency services, the Red Cross, and FEMA — augmenting their efforts with our specialized focus on speed and immediate on-site presence. We are the bridge between the moment of impact and the arrival of substantial aid.
Your donation directly funds the equipment and trained responders who save lives in those critical first minutes.
We especially need: EMTs, HAM radio operators, storm spotters, and support volunteers.