FEMA Region 9 Youth Preparedness Toolkit

Release Date:

November 1, 2024

The Toolkit’s purpose is to centralize preparedness activities, offering a Learn-Practice-Share model that connects hazards with geographic regions and empowers youth to implement and teach preparedness practices.

Hazards in Region 9

Preparedness Activities by Age Group

Elementary (Grades 1-6)
Activities and games that introduce basic preparedness concepts in a fun and engaging way.
- Prepare With Pedro (FEMA)
- Preparedness Ambassadors (Local government resources)
- STEP (Students Teaching Emergency Preparedness)
- Disaster Minds (Activity on identifying different hazards)
- Preparedness Champions (Reward-based activity for completing preparedness tasks)
- Rocket’s Emergency Preparedness Classroom Materials and Safety Toolkit (Activity books in multiple languages)
- Dam Safety with Beaverly Activity Book
- Activity: Create-A-Kit Art - Design your own emergency supply kit as an art project.
- Activity: Create-A-Kit - Design your own emergency supply kit.
- Emergency Kit Craft - This activity helps kids understand the importance of being prepared while making the learning process fun and engaging. They get to exercise creativity and take home a valuable tool for safety and peace of mind.
  - Materials Needed:
    - Small, sturdy boxes (like shoeboxes)
    - Markers, crayons, and stickers for decorating
    - Paper and pens
    - Plastic bags
    - Bandages, small first aid items (adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes)
    - Mini flashlight or glow sticks
    - Granola bars or small, non-perishable snacks
    - Water bottles
    - Whistle
    - Emergency contact information cards
    Activity Steps:
    - Decorate the Kit Box: Let the kids decorate their boxes with markers, crayons, stickers, and anything else they like. This makes the kit personal and memorable.
    - Talk About Emergencies: Discuss different types of emergencies (like natural disasters or getting lost) and what items might be helpful in each situation.
    - Prepare the Items: Hand out the various items listed and help the kids pack them into their boxes. Explain why each item is important.
    - Create Emergency Contact Cards: Have each child write down important contact information on a card, including names and phone numbers of family members. Place these cards in the boxes.
    - Personalize with Extra Items: Allow kids to add one or two personal items to their kit (a small toy, a family photo) to make it comforting.
    Role-Playing: End the activity with a role-playing session where kids practice using their kits in a pretend emergency situation.
Junior High (Grades 7-8)
Activities that encourage personal responsibility and community awareness.
- Be A Hero (Challenge for learning about emergency actions)
- Teen CERT | Ready.gov
- Red Cross Clubs
- Family Communication Plan (Create a plan for family reunification in emergencies)
- Emergency Preparedness Badge game (By request)
- Hazard Geography (Identify hazards in your community)
- Emergency Kits for Pets
High School (Grades 9-12)
Advanced activities focused on leadership and teaching preparedness.
- Youth Preparedness Council (Leadership opportunities in preparedness)
- Teen CERT
- Be A Hero (Advanced version with leadership roles)
- Red Cross Club in a Box
- Toolkit for Youth on Adaptation and Leadership (Climate resilience and preparedness)
- Ready Children and Youth Preparedness Social Media Toolkit (Social Media Preparedness Campaign Ideas)

Youth Leader Resource Hub

Safety Resources
- SchoolSafety.gov (School safety resources)
- Ready Kids | Ready.gov
- Program Implementation Workbook (Steps to implement preparedness programs)
- Emergency Planning | SchoolSafety.gov
- CDC Access and Functional Needs Toolkit (Pg 9-12)
- PrepTalks Discussion Guide (Youth preparedness discussion topics)
Planning Resources
- Ready Campus | Ready.gov (College and campus emergency planning)
- Teaching Climate | NOAA Climate.gov (Climate resilience education)
- Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans (FEMA)
- Community Hazard Maps (Maps showing regional hazards to enhance geographic awareness)
- Activity: Local Emergency Contacts Directory Template - Develop a template for school leaders to populate with local contacts.
Inclusion Resources
- Emergency Preparedness and Disability Inclusion | CDC
- Activity: Language Accessibility Resources - Identify community resources to communicate with non-native English speakers.
- Activity: Culturally Responsive Emergency Communication - Develop communication products that resonate with diverse communities.

Suggested Additions for Youth Engagement

Hands-On Emergency Kits Creation - Assemble emergency kits for different hazards.
Personal Resilience Skills Workshop - Cover skills like first aid, CPR, and stress management in emergencies.
Online Engagement Modules - Short videos or interactive websites on preparedness, including mobile-friendly options for easy access. FEMA's YouTube or state or local emergency management video content is a good place to start.
Emergency Preparedness Storytelling - Creative writing or video stories to help youth imagine scenarios and respond.