Nation’s youth gather in Washington for community preparedness roundtable

Source(s): Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Release date: August 6, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-069

Washington
–Members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Youth Preparedness Council today held their inaugural meeting in Washington, DC to discuss steps to strengthen the nation’s resiliency against all types of disasters.

“This has been an opportunity for members of the Youth Preparedness Council to share their ideas, experiences, solutions and questions on youth disaster preparedness with FEMA, other federal agencies and national organizations,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Engaging youth is critical to including the whole community in national preparedness. The Youth Preparedness Council is contributing to set a national agenda for how young people play a role in emergency management.”

The Council members participated in roundtable discussions and plenary sessions on the first day of their two-day visit to the nation’s capital. The Council will also meet with Administrator Fugate and discuss steps to strengthen the nation’s overall resiliency. In addition to developing their annual work plan to address youth preparedness during national disasters, the Council is meeting with other federal and private sector partners committed to supporting their work.

“As chairperson of FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council, I’m excited to have the opportunity to help lend youth’s voice and ideas to emergency management during disasters,” said Rebekka McCaleb of Sterling, Colorado.

Rebekka was joined by exceptional youth council members who together comprise the Youth Preparedness Council. Tuesday, council members will visit Capitol Hill and learn how disaster management legislation moves through the legislative process.

The Youth Preparedness Council is comprised of 13 youth leaders (13 – 17 years of age) from each of FEMA’s ten regions.

Council members are eligible to serve on the Council for two years.

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