Apply to FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council
Are you a 12- to 17-year-old who makes a difference in your community’s disaster preparedness? Have you experienced a disaster that motivated you to make a positive difference in your community? Are you a Red Cross youth volunteer? Apply to FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is looking for youth leaders who are dedicated to public service, who are making a difference in their communities and who want to expand their impact as national advocates for youth disaster preparedness.
The American Red Cross is encouraging our youth volunteers to apply!
Applications must be received by February 24, 2014, 11:59 p.m. EST.
About the Council
FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council (YPC) is a unique opportunity for youth leaders to serve on a highly distinguished national council; to complete self-selected youth preparedness projects; to voice their opinions, experiences, ideas, solutions and questions on youth disaster preparedness with the leadership of FEMA and national organizations working on youth preparedness and to participate in the Youth Preparedness Council Summit. For more information about the Youth Preparedness Council and FEMA’s youth preparedness efforts, please visit http://www.ready.gov/youth-
Please note that this year, FEMA will only consider applications submitted directly by the applicant. Nominations for eligible candidates will no longer be accepted. Applications must include responses to all the information requested in the application form and two (2) letters of recommendation.
Eligibility
Applicants must be between 12 and 17 years old at the time they apply (applicants who will turn 18 during the Council’s term are still eligible). The application can emphasize youth disaster preparedness activities that the applicant has participated in or can be related to a disaster the applicant has experienced. The application should describe specific emergency situations and/or examples of disaster preparedness activities that would qualify the applicant to serve on the Council.
Sample preparedness activities may include but are not limited to:
- Teen CERT training
- Citizen Corps programs
- After-school activities
- Youth preparedness activities through a faith-based group
- Disaster preparedness camps
- Youth club activities (e.g., Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts)
- National Preparedness Month participation
- Increasing local disaster awareness
- Rural area preparedness activities
- Using social media to further disaster preparedness
- Pet/service animal preparedness
- Underrepresented community programs
Application Process
The application form can be found at: http://www.ready.gov/youth-
To apply, you must submit a completed application form and two (2) letters of recommendation.
- One letter of recommendation must be from an adult who can speak to the applicant’s preparedness- and/or disaster-related experience.
- The second letter of recommendation can be from any adult, age 18 or older.
Examples of adults who might write letters of recommendation include group leaders, parents, guardians, community first responders or teachers. Applications that do not include two (2) letters of recommendation will not be reviewed.
Specific information about completing and submitting the application form, letters of recommendation, and optional supplemental materials can be found on the application form and application instructions.
Please also send a copy of your completed application form to [email protected] so we can track which Red Cross volunteers have applied.
Applications will be reviewed by national and regional FEMA staff. New Youth Preparedness Council members will be announced in May 2014.
