Are you a current student, entering grades 8-12 in Fall 2016, who is making a difference in your community’s disaster preparedness?
Have you experienced a disaster that motivated you to make a positive difference in your community?
Do you want to become a regional advocate for youth disaster preparedness?
If so, apply for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region V Youth Preparedness Council!
The deadline for application submission is November 18, 2016 at 11:59 pm CDT. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.
About the Council
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region V Youth Preparedness Council is a unique opportunity for youth leaders to make a difference in their communities while sharing their opinions, experiences, ideas, solutions, and questions on youth disaster preparedness with the regional leadership of FEMA.
The Region V YPC will consist of one (1) representative from each state within Region V’s area of responsibility: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Region V Youth Preparedness Council members fill three (3) roles while on the Council:
- Project planners: The cornerstone of Council members’ service is the self-selected local projects they are required to complete during their one year tenure on the Council.
- Ambassadors for youth preparedness: Council members spread the word about the importance of youth preparedness in their local communities and on a regional scale.
- Liaison to FEMA on the youth perspective: The members of the Council have a fantastic opportunity to meet with FEMA and its partner organizations to share their insights, opinions, and unique perspective on FEMA’s (and others’) efforts and initiatives.
The FEMA Region V Youth Preparedness Council is different from but related to the national FEMA Youth Preparedness Council. The current chairperson of the Region V Youth Preparedness Council will be Region V’s current representative(s) on the national Youth Preparedness Council.
For more information about the national Youth Preparedness Council and FEMA’s youth preparedness efforts, please visit ready.gov/youth-preparedness-council and ready.gov/youth-preparedness.
Eligibility
Applicants must be current students entering grades 8-12 during the 2016-2017 school year. 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:
- After-school activities
- America’s PrepareAthon! participation
- Citizen Corps programs
- Disaster preparedness camps
- Increasing local disaster awareness
- National Preparedness Month participation
- Pet/service animal preparedness
- Rural area preparedness activities
- Teen CERT training
- Under-represented community programs
- Using social media to further disaster preparedness
- Youth club activities (e.g., Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts)
- Youth preparedness activities through a faith-based group
Application Process
Applications must include responses to all of the information requested in the application form; two (2) letters of recommendation; and academic records (e.g., report card, transcript) from the current (2016–2017) and previous (2015–2016) school year. Please note that FEMA will only consider applications submitted directly by the applicant. Nominations for eligible candidates will not be accepted.
At least one (1) letter of recommendation must be from an adult, age 18 or older, who can speak to the applicant’s experience with preparedness and/or disaster(s). The second letter of recommendation should be from an adult who is familiar with the applicant’s involvement in the community. Examples of adults who might write letters of recommendation include group leaders, teachers, advisors/counselors, school administrators, coaches, employers, community or faith leaders, local first responders, or Citizen Corps Council or CERT Program members. Family members, relatives, guardians, etc. may not write letters of recommendations. 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.
Applications will be reviewed by regional FEMA staff. Finalists will be required to participate in a virtual (e.g., Skype) or telephone interview.