Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

Disasters are increasing internationally. For Georgia, disasters like Hurricane Michael in 2018 can wreak havoc on the state. Georgia 4-H offered a three-time national award winning youth preparedness, leadership, and educational outreach program known as MyPI (My Preparedness Initiative) for teens. Nine county Extension personnel teamed with seven volunteers, two UGA Extension specialists, and the national MyPI training staff at Rock Eagle 4-H Center to complete an intensive instructor certification to lead MyPI in eight counties across Georgia. Training participants received three days of concentrated training in coaching preparedness, including evaluation specialty. A FEMA grant funded a portion of the training and prepared youth packs and MyPI manuals for 125 youth. At the training, participants committed to delivering the 5- to 10-week training to 125 youth during 2018-19. In 2018, seven training programs have been offered in Gordon, Dougherty, Morgan, Turner and Wilcox counties, enrolling 129 youth in the MyPI.