BINGHAMTON — In Binghamton, NY, the initial delegation of instructors within the New York Youth Preparedness Initiative, MyPI New York, recently completed a comprehensive certification and training workshop.
Led by the MyPI National Coordination Team, it became the 29th state/territory-level program to train instructors under the national project umbrella.
“The MyPI program fits so well with our 4-H positive youth development framework of helping youth feel a sense of belonging, engage with their communities, and explore new interests,” Dr. Andy Turner, the MyPI New York Program Manager AND New York State 4-H Director, said.
“Providing an avenue for youth to take an active role in preparing themselves, their families and communities for emergencies and disasters is a great addition to our programming and fits perfectly with broader Extension efforts in emergency preparedness and developing resiliency in the face of climate change.”
YOUTH PREPAREDNESS
Over the next two years, MyPI New York will be offering this innovative and engaging youth preparedness program to teens who will assist families and communities in a variety of locations throughout New York.
This program, based on a national award-winning model developed and delivered in Mississippi through the Mississippi State University Extension Service enhances individual, family, and community preparedness for disasters, while at the same time, strengthening youth leadership, communication skills, teamwork, decision making, self-esteem, civic responsibility, and empowerment, along with family communication and cohesion.
“The underlying missions of MyPI National are to reboot youth preparedness across our states and territories, to capitalize on the energy of our teens, and to set the new standard for how we engage our teens in sustainable preparedness endeavors as we move forward in the face of a variety of threats and hazards that we continue to see on seemingly a daily basis, regardless of geographic location,” Dr. C. Ryan Akers, MyPI national project director and MyPI Mississippi program coordinator, said.
“From the large urban areas to the smaller rural towns and villages, emergencies and disasters do not discriminate. We have to be aware of all possible risks and hazards and educate all citizens, including our youth. We have seen fantastic success for many years in Mississippi and have seen the same impact within our partners under the MyPI National umbrella. As our MyPI National team works with the initial cohort of MyPI New York instructors, we will continue the process of fostering relationships and networks that will hopefully ensure the success of this program for years to come, which is yet another very achievable outcome and one that these great citizens, families, and communities deserve.”
MyPI offers a tremendous, multi-faceted approach to youth preparedness with rich learning and leadership opportunities for teens and enhanced preparedness levels for families and communities.
“There is a definitive focus and energy necessary as we move into the next phase of MyPI New York, where the real work is carried out and the real impact is seen,” Akers said.
“On a personal and a professional level, I look forward to seeing these new instructors respond to the challenge and become the catalyst for positive change and impact across the state. It is clear from this week that the instructors have a strong passion for disaster education and preparedness, the development of their youth and safety of their families, and the livelihood of these communities, which is wonderful to see. Who knows when we will see the next emergency or major disaster? But we do know that it’s not a question of if…it’s a question of when. The program that our instructors will deliver and the work our teens will do provides an invaluable and perhaps life-saving service across their communities and for their people. We expect a positive impact for all involved and will continue to work with the instructors, the Program Manager, and community partners to ensure its success over the long-term.”
BEGAN IN 2015
MyPI New York is a component of the National Youth Preparedness Initiative, MyPI National, a partnership of 37 states and 3 US territories. MyPI National’s Phase 1 pilot began in 2015 with eight state-level programs.
‘ZEST, PASSION’
Regarding New York’s program, Akers stated, “Our MyPI National Coordination team has literally traveled to all corners of the nation and across the world with this project. This week, we were excited to be back in FEMA Region II, where we have been looking to enhance our programmatic footprint and outreach in areas that have been hit hard by natural disasters. I can confidently say that the MyPI New York instructors have displayed the kind of engagement and motivation that is characteristic of our most productive partners throughout MyPI National. We are looking for that definitive ‘zest’ and ‘passion’ to move these projects forward and that was the case here this week in Binghamton.”
THREE COMPONENTS
The MyPI model offers a flexible and comprehensive, three-component program. In Component A, teenagers will complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency-certified 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. In Component B, the Add-On Catalog features certification opportunities in CPR and AED usage, along with a technology track comprised of awareness programs focusing on HAM Radio, NOAA Weather Radio, Smoke Alarm Maintenance, and Smart Phone App and Social Media in Emergency Preparedness.
The Add-On Catalog also includes a disaster simulation, a school safety/active shooter awareness program, an extreme weather awareness program, a public health awareness and mitigation program, and a career track that focuses on public safety, fire service, and emergency management careers. The final element of the program, Component C, includes a comprehensive family and community service project entitled PREP+6 in which each participant helps develop emergency supply kits and emergency communication plans for their family AND 6 additional families or households. This component allows for significant enhancement in individual, family, and community preparedness and resilience. To graduate from the program, students must complete all components.
CLINTON COUNTY
Chelsea Denny, a Youth and Family Development – Health and Wellness Resource Educator in Clinton County recently completed MyPI New York Instructor certification process and believes in the emergency preparedness and youth leadership constructs and principles that are inherent within MyPI.
“Youth engagement and preparedness is crucial in building resilient communities,” Denny said.
“MyPI New York will provide an exceptional opportunity for teens to develop vital skills and knowledge in emergency preparedness situations. Empowering New York youth and their families will foster a culture of readiness and response where the younger generation takes charge in ensuring the safety and well-being of their communities. This program is beneficial to all individuals and families surrounding community preparedness and resilience. The information contained in each module touches on more than just basics of areas like disaster preparedness, first aid and safety, terrorism, disaster psychology. It is extensive and covers all details needed to ensure that individuals and their families have all the critical knowledge to react during emergencies. Preparedness in any situation is key to surviving and can allow people to react calmly under high stress situations. The information that MyPI offers youth is crucial in our current social and emotional climate and there is no other program that I’ve come across that is as comprehensive and vital as MyPI.”