Below is information about an opportunity for students ages 12-17 to be involved in a national council for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency- called the Youth Preparedness Council. Application deadline April 19.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is seeking applicants/nominations for its Youth Preparedness Council (YPC). The YPC is a unique opportunity for youth leaders to serve on a highly distinguished national council. Members will have the opportunity to:
- Complete a self-selected youth preparedness project;
- Voice opinions, experiences, ideas, and questions on youth disaster preparedness with the leadership of FEMA and national organizations working on youth preparedness; and
- Participate in the YPC Summit.
Any individual between the ages of 12 and 17 who is engaged in individual and community preparedness may apply or be nominated to serve on the YPC. An individual may apply on his/her own behalf, or he/she can be nominated by an adult familiar with his/her youth preparedness activities.
Individuals interested in applying to the YPC must submit a completed application form, a narrative, and a letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation can be from any adult, including a parent, guardian, community first responder, or teacher. Applications that do not include a letter of recommendation will not be reviewed.
Individuals interested in nominating a youth to the YPC should complete the application form and narrative, but a letter of recommendation is not mandatory. Specific information about completing and submitting the application and attachments can be found on the application.
All applications and supporting materials must be received no later than 11:59 E.D.T. on April 19, 2013 in order to be eligible.
Council members will be selected based on vacancies in the Council. National and regional FEMA representatives will review applications/nominations. Each state and territory falls into one of ten FEMA regions, and each region has a Community Preparedness Officer (CPO); the CPOs report to FEMA Headquarters. Applications will be reviewed by FEMA Headquarters staff and the CPO from the region from which the application originated.
YPC members will be announced in May 2013. Once selected, members serve on the Council for one year, with the option to extend for an additional year, based on a formal request by FEMA.
For more information about the YPC and the Individual and Community Preparedness Division’s work on youth preparedness, and to access the application materials, please visit http://www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness.