W. Roxbury Among First to Offer Student Emergency Preparedness Program 

Release Date: April 30, 2008
Release Number: R1-08-057

BOSTON - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is initiating a pilot program for New England 4th grade students to teach basic emergency preparedness skills. The Student Tools for Emergency Planning (STEP) program will be offered by participating schools within the region. The William H. Ohrenberger Elementary School in West Roxbury will be one of the first schools in Massachusetts to provide the STEP program to its pupils.

"Sharpening emergency preparedness skills is an important project for our students and staff," said Steve Zrike Jr., principal of Ohrenberger Elementary School. "We work very hard at this skill to ensure all of our students know what to do in case of an incident. We are pleased to participate in this training as the lessons learned in school will also help our students in their homes as they share the preparedness tips with their families."

In addition to the key lesson plan, students in participating schools will also receive items to make their own 'starter' kit; including a water bottle, snack bar, emergency whistle, mylar blanket and carrying bag. STEP will be taught during the 2008-2009 academic year.

A joint effort between state emergency management agencies and FEMA, the program offers a ready-to-teach preparedness lesson that empowers students to encourage their families to make home emergency kits and communications plans.

There are a variety of reasons a family might have to evacuate its home - a fire, a chemicals spill, winter storms, hurricanes or flooding. There may be limited time to react when an evacuation is ordered. Having an emergency kit at the ready is one thing families can do to protect themselves.

A communications plan results when a family agrees on an alternate meeting place outside the home, and designates a person to call (often in a different state) if the family is separated in an emergency. Each member of the family carries a card with those important facts, as well as work and school numbers.

More information on family emergency kits and communications plans can be found on the FEMA web site.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Friday, 02-May-2008 15:19:46