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The Lancaster County MyPI Cohort received the ServeNebraska StepForward award in the disaster volunteer category. All of the instructors are active in Civil Air Patrol. L-R Wilma Gerena, Leo Larkin, Joy Mace, Tom Guilford and Soni Cochran. Bruce Marxsen was honor posthumously). Also shown Ashley Mueller, Nebraska Extension Disaster Education Coordinator. -
Lancaster County MyPI cohort of teens and instructors - April 14, 2018. -
Disaster Preparedness Instructors guide students in developing a basic disaster plan. Photo by Soni Cochran, Extension Associate -
Disaster Preparedness Instructors practicing cribbing techniques. Photo by Vicki Jedlicka, Extension Assistant -
The MyPI backpacks provide teens with the basic equipment they need to respond to an emergency situation. -
MyPI teens explore emergency management and first responder careers. Photo: Planes like this one are used in suppression of wildfires that threaten lives and property. Photo by Soni Cochran, Extension Associate
In the event of an emergency...there are two extremely important life-saving skill sets every teen should learn:
...understanding how to identify a threat and how to prepare for it should it become real.
MyPI Update:
MyPI is being reviewed for future programming in the area. If you are interested in emergency preparedness programs for adults and youth, visit Community Emergency Response Teams (C.E.R.T.)
“Fostering Emergency Preparedness, Civic Responsibility, and Leadership in Teens”
Lancaster County MyPI
...preparing you, your community, and your family for emergencies!
- Build Life Saving Skill Sets and Be Certified in CPR and AED Usage.
- Learn about Emergency Management and First Responder Careers.
- Identify Hazards and Become Extreme Weather Aware.
- Give Back to Your Communities through the PREP + 6 Service Project.
- Develop Emergency Kits and Family Communication Plans.
- Learn about Technology in Emergency Preparedness, including NOAA Weather Radios, Social and Smartphone Apps, HAM Radio, and more.
MyPI (My Youth Preparedness Initiative) is an award-winning disaster preparedness program for area teens ages 13-18. The program is currently under review in Lancaster County, Nebraska. Please watch for updates. (June 14, 2019)
Teens learn how to participate in a disaster response, use emergency response equipment, render first aid, and explore careers from certified CERT/Emergency Response instructors. Teens share this information with family and friends in the PREP+6 project. Youth will also be certified in CPR/AED and Teen CERT through the US Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency.
In addition to becoming a member of Teen CERT, graduates of the program receive a backpack with emergency response equipment, CPR/AED card from the American Red Cross, and partial refund on their enrollment fee (see fees below).
Videos:
Photos
What are included in the components needed for graduation?
Component A: United States Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency-certified Teen CERT training and corresponding modules focusing on Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety and Utility Control, Disaster Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue, CERT Organization, Disaster Psychology, and Terrorism and CERT.
Component B: CPR and AED, HAM Radio, NOAA Weather Radio, Smoke Alarm Maintenance, and Smart Phone App and Social Media in Emergency Preparedness. Also included is the disaster simulation, and a Career Track focusing on public safety, fire service, and emergency management careers.
Component C: "Prep + 6" community service project in which each participant helps develop emergency supply kits and emergency communication plans for their family AND 6 additional families or households.
Student Perspectives of MyPi