My Youth Preparedness Initiative (MyPI) is an award-winning disaster preparedness program for teens ages 13–18. Nebraska Extension is piloting the program statewide.
In April and May, several area teens took part in Lancaster County MyPI, learning about Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), how to participate in a disaster response, use emergency response equipment and render first aid. It was also an opportunity to explore career options.
MyPI participants are required to do a community service component (called PREP+6). Teens use the information they’ve learned to help their own family plus six additional families put together a disaster response kit (i.e. winter weather kit for car, go bag for their pet) and a communication plan or evacuation plan.
MyPI graduates are certified in CPR/AED through the American Red Cross and as members of Teen CERT through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency. MyPI graduates also received backpacks filled with equipment needed for basic emergency responses.
More information and photos are online at https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/MyPi. Another training in Lancaster County is being planned.