FEMA REGION 9 YOUTH PREPAREDNESS TOOLKIT [https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/fema-region-9-youth-preparedness-toolkit] Release Date: Nov 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 * Droughts [https://www.ready.gov/drought] * Earthquakes [https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes] * Extreme Heat [https://www.ready.gov/heat] * Floods [https://www.ready.gov/floods] * Hurricanes/Typhoons [https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes] * Severe Weather [https://www.ready.gov/severe-weather] * Tsunamis [https://www.ready.gov/tsunamis] * Volcanoes [https://www.ready.gov/volcanoes] * Wildfires [https://www.ready.gov/wildfires]   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 [https://www.ready.gov/kids/prepare-pedro] (FEMA) * Preparedness Ambassadors [https://www.caloes.ca.gov/office-of-the-director/operations/planning-preparedness-prevention/planning-preparedness/school-emergency-planning-safety/preparedness-ambassadors/] (Local government resources) * STEP [https://community.fema.gov/PreparednessCommunity/s/step-material-download-request?language=en_US] (Students Teaching Emergency Preparedness) * Disaster Minds [https://www.fema.gov/about/organization/region-8/disaster-mind-game] (Activity on identifying different hazards) * Preparedness Champions [https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/teaching-kids-about-emergency-preparedness/prep-champion.html] (Reward-based activity for completing preparedness tasks) * Rocket’s Emergency Preparedness Classroom Materials and Safety Toolkit [https://rocketrules.org/emergency-preparedness-programs/] (Activity books in multiple languages) * Dam Safety with Beaverly Activity Book [https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_dam-safety-with-beaverley-coloring-book.pdf?utm_source=GD&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ndsp+beaverly] * 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 [https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/ready_emergency-preparedness-curriculum-grades-9-12.pdf] (Challenge for learning about emergency actions) * Teen CERT [https://www.ready.gov/kids/teen-cert] | Ready.gov * Red Cross Clubs [https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/red-cross-youth/resources/441701-01_Club_in_a_Box_Toolkit_2023.pdf] * Family Communication Plan [https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/ready_family-communications-plan_kids.pdf] (Create a plan for family reunification in emergencies) * Emergency Preparedness Badge game (By request) * Hazard Geography [https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/map] (Identify hazards in your community) * Emergency Kits for Pets [https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/emergency-preparedness/preparedness-kit.html]    * HIGH SCHOOL (GRADES 9-12) Advanced activities focused on leadership and teaching preparedness. * Youth Preparedness Council [https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/individuals-communities/youth-preparedness-council] (Leadership opportunities in preparedness) * Teen CERT [https://www.ready.gov/kids/teen-cert] * Be A Hero [https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/ready_emergency-preparedness-curriculum-grades-9-12.pdf] (Advanced version with leadership roles) * Red Cross Club in a Box [https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/red-cross-youth/resources/441701-01_Club_in_a_Box_Toolkit_2023.pdf] * Toolkit for Youth on Adaptation and Leadership [https://gca.org/reports/toolkit-for-youth-on-adaptation-and-leadership/] (Climate resilience and preparedness) * Ready Children and Youth Preparedness Social Media Toolkit [https://www.ready.gov/children-and-youth-preparedness-social-media-toolkit] (Social Media Preparedness Campaign Ideas)   YOUTH LEADER RESOURCE HUB * SAFETY RESOURCES * SchoolSafety.gov [https://www.schoolsafety.gov/] (School safety resources) * Ready Kids [https://www.ready.gov/kids] | Ready.gov * Program Implementation Workbook [https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2019-06/youth_preparedness_program_implementation_workbook.pdf] (Steps to implement preparedness programs) * Emergency Planning [https://www.schoolsafety.gov/emergency-planning] | SchoolSafety.gov * CDC Access and Functional Needs Toolkit [https://www.cdc.gov/readiness/media/pdfs/CDC_Access_and_Functional_Needs_Toolkit_March2021.pdf] (Pg 9-12) * PrepTalks Discussion Guide [https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_preptalks_peek-thompson_discussion-guide.pdf] (Youth preparedness discussion topics)   * PLANNING RESOURCES * Ready Campus [https://www.ready.gov/campus] | Ready.gov (College and campus emergency planning) * Teaching Climate [https://www.climate.gov/teaching] | NOAA Climate.gov (Climate resilience education) * Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans [https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=c59114f961238b35JmltdHM9MTczMDE2MDAwMCZpZ3VpZD0xYWRkYjAxOS0zNGRiLTY1MDItMzJmMy1hNGFmMzVjNTY0NzQmaW5zaWQ9NTIxMQ&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=3&fclid=1addb019-34db-6502-32f3-a4af35c56474&psq=o+Guide+for+Developing+High-Quality+School+Emergency+Operations+Plans&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmVtYS5nb3Yvc2l0ZXMvZGVmYXVsdC9maWxlcy8yMDIwLTA3L2d1aWRlLWRldmVsb3Bpbmctc2Nob29sLWVtZXJnZW5jeS1vcGVyYXRpb25zLXBsYW5zLnBkZg&ntb=1] (FEMA) * Community Hazard Maps [https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/map] (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 [https://www.cdc.gov/disability-emergency-preparedness/index.html] | 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 [https://www.youtube.com/user/FEMA] 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. CONTACT INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT MYISHA ABAN, REGIONAL PREPAREDNESS LIAISON  Myisha.Aban@associates.fema.dhs.gov