FEMA Announces it First Youth Preparedness Council
Yesterday, FEMA announced the formation of its first Youth Preparedness Council. The Council supports FEMA's continued commitment to involving the whole community in preparedness related activities. Additionally, it represents a unique opportunity for a select group of 13 young leaders to serve on a highly distinguished national council and to voice their opinions, experiences, ideas and solutions to help strengthen the nation's resiliency for all types of disasters.
Nominated by individuals who can attest to their preparedness activities, Council members demonstrate a willingness to represent the youth perspective on emergency preparedness and to share preparedness information from Council discussions with their communities.
Children comprise approximately 25 percent of our nation's population and are the future of our communities. They can play an important role in disaster preparedness and each have the unique ability to help their communities be safer, stronger and more resilient before, during and after a disaster or emergency event. As such, we all have a vested interest in engaging and empowering youth to become active participants in individual, family, and community preparedness. Research states:
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Youth who are trained in preparedness are more resilient in actual disasters.
- Youth are highly effective messengers for reaching and influencing parents and other adults.
- Youth who are engaged today will ensure a future generation of prepared adults.
The Youth Preparedness Council is comprised of 13 diverse leaders (13 - 17 years of age) from across FEMA's ten regions and who are:
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Dedicated to public service;
- Making a difference in their community; and
- Expanding their impact as a national advocate for youth preparedness.
The distinguished members selected are as follows:
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FEMA Region I: Rachel Little (Massachusetts)
- FEMA Region II: Gabriela Rodriguez Boria (Puerto Rico)
- FEMA Region III: Donald "Diesel" Embrey (Virginia)
- FEMA Region IV: Benjamin Cooke (Tennessee)
- FEMA Region V: Jason Reed (Indiana)
- FEMA Region VI: Dorian Tre'Vaughn Gregory (Louisiana)
- FEMA Region VI: Jonathan DeLong (Texas)
- FEMA Region VII: Nimansha Jain (Nebraska)
- FEMA Region VIII: Ashley Houston (Utah)
- FEMA Region IX: Divya Saini (California)
- FEMA Region IX: Tiffany Espensen (California)
- FEMA Region IX: Christian Chowen (Hawaii)
- FEMA Region X: Cayman Kirkhart (Idaho)
This year council members will have the opportunity to participate in a community preparedness roundtable event in Washington D.C. where they will advise and ask questions on youth disaster preparedness with the leadership of national organizations working on this critical priority. It is also expected members will meet with FEMA on a quarterly basis via conference call or webinar and provide ongoing input on strategies and initiatives. Council members are eligible to serve on the Council for two years.
Youth preparedness is a critical component to ensuring a strong community can address any disaster or emergency event. Find out how you can implement a youth preparedness program in your neighborhood or get involved with Teen CERT . Citizen Corps also offers a variety of recorded webinars dealing with the topic of youth and school preparedness which you may find beneficial.
To learn more about FEMA's youth preparedness efforts please visit: http://www.citizencorps.gov/getstarted/youth/youthindex.shtm .
Join with us as we congratulate the inaugural members of FEMA's Youth Preparedness Council! Great job and we look forward to hearing what you have to say. You've made your regions and country proud!