FEMA seeks young leaders for preparedness council

Kids can share views on readiness, grow their skills.

YPC Summit in Washington, D.C., meet regularly with FEMA representatives and complete several emergency preparedness projects.

This year, YPC members are working on projects for financial preparedness, citi- With temperatures in the zen responder programs and 40s and 50s, warm weather youth preparedness eduactivities are probably the cation. last thing on your mind, but Students in eighth through it’s not too early for students 11th grades must submit a and parents to start making completed application form, plans for summer. two letters of recommen-

Local, state and national dation, academic records organizations offer summer and a list of extracurricular internships and work opporactivities. All applications tunities for middle and high and supporting materials school students. must be received before 9

For example, FEMA, the p.m. March 8. Students who Federal Emergency Manapply for the national Youth agement Agency, is seek- Preparedness Council also ing youths from this area will be considered for the (Region IV) for its National Region IV Youth Prepared- Youth Preparedness Coun- ness Council. cil. Youth from communi“FEMA’s Youth Prepared- ties across the Southeast ness Council is developing are encouraged to apply for the next generation of emer- FEMA’s national Youth Pregency managers and com- paredness Council. Formed munity leaders. These teens in 2012, the council provides recognize the importance of an opportunity for young preparedness and are making leaders to share their per- their communities safer and spectives, feedback and opin- more resilient,” said Gracia ions related to prepared- Szczech, regional adminisness, and grow their lead- trator for FEMA Region IV, ership skills. which includes Alabama,

YPC members meet with Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, FEMA staff throughout their Mississippi, North Carolina, two-year term to provide South Carolina and Tennesinput on strategies, initia- see. tives and projects. YPC memThe Youth Preparedness bers also attend the annual Council application website

was a user now their ments, tively munities fresh recently experience. encouraged influenced academic ways look and revamped they and any leadership their enhanced have Teens achieve- to share com- posi- with are experiences. selected teria, ular Council activities as well based members as and on extracurric- any these expe- are cririence ness and related emergency to prepared- management. New council members will be announced in May.

“With approximately 70 million children under the age of 18 in the United States, children comprise nearly one-quarter of the entire U.S. population,” said FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor. “Building a culture of preparedness begins with engaging our youth. I am proud of our program that helps to build a new generation of leaders who are passionate about championing preparedness and making a difference in their communities.”

To learn more about the Youth Preparedness Council and the application process, go to ready.gov/kids/ youth-preparedness-council.

Youths may apply through a written or video response at community.fema.gov/applytoYPC.