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National Preparedness Month | September

Take part in National Preparedness Month with MY HERO. Established in 2004, National Preparedness Month is observed in the US in September, and reminds families to plan for emergencies and disasters.

Disasters may be scary to talk about, but it can give you more confidence to have a plan. That's why it's important to talk to your family about what you would do in the event of a disaster.

Ready.gov is a national public awareness campaign to educate Americans to prepare for and respond to natural and man-made disasters. The website is a great source for disaster preparedness information.

 

Teachers: Visit the free MY HERO Lesson Plan for National Preparedness Month. Includes discussion guide and learning outcomes.

National Preparedness Month Mulltimedia Resource and Teacher Lesson Plan

By: Laura Nietzer

MY HERO Curated Multimedia Lesson Plan is Available for the National Preparedness Month Through this Link

The three basic steps for disaster preparedness are:

1. Be informed

2. Make a plan

3. Build a kit

1. Be Informed

Click on your state to learn more about which disasters could affect your area: https://www.ready.gov/kids/maps

Interactive Disaster Preparedness Map
Credit: Ready.gov

Then, learn more about how to prepare for and respond to the possible risks in your area: https://www.ready.gov/be-informed.

For example, if you live in Texas, you might want to learn more about how to prepare for tornadoes.

If you live in California, you might want to learn more about what to do during an earthquake.

 

2. Family Evacuation Plan

During disasters, cell phone reception may not be reliable. Prepare. Talk with your family and create a family communication plan:

1. Gather all the essential contact information.

2. Find someone you can contact out of state.

3. Decide on a place to meet if you have to evacuate your house or are not at home when an evacuation order occurs.

 

The forms below will help you create your family communication plan.

Family Communication Plan - Kids
Credit: FEMA
Family Communication Plan - Adults
Credit: FEMA

3. Build an Emergency Kit

Emergency Survival Kit
Credit: Red Cross (This image is from the FEMA Photo Library.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Get your family to create an emergency preparedness kit. Here's a handy Disaster Supplies Checklist from Save the Children.


Disasters happen unexpectedly. And when disasters happen, communities want to get back to normal as soon as they can. Preparing for disasters can help lessen the impact of a disaster. It can save time, resources, and even lives.

Thanks for doing your part and participating in National Disaster Preparedness Month!

Additional Resources

     E-Book


     Videos

From FEMA for Kids-- what to do in an Emergency

A MY HERO Intern shares advice for going back to school during the pandemic.

Avoiding the Coronavirus as a Student

By: Skyler Gallarzan
Students returning to campus in 2020 must take precautions to protect themselves from COVID-19.

People in Senegal have advice for staying safe during a pandemic.

SENSITIZATION VIDEO ABOUT COVID-19

Produced by:MENDY KANU

An Elementary School Principal shares a sliver of his life running a school through distance learning!

Quarantine Project

Produced by:Mathew Needleman
A school principal shares a slice of his life running a school during distance learning.

Related Pages | MY HERO Films on disaster relief

There are remarkable heroes who jump into action and help others who are suffering from a natural disaster. Jon Rose from Waves for Water: https://www.wavesforwater.org, provides fresh water and disaster relief in the farthest regions of the globe.

Asya Rachitsky continues to help those in need from tragedy of the Hurricane Maria.

Waves for Water - Nepal Earthquake

Producer: Hurley
Jon Rose and Waves For Water's Nepal Earthquake Relief Effort

Poco a Poco (Little by Little)

Asya Rachitsky

Asya was in Puerto Rico during the 2017 hurricane and shares dramatic footage. She commits her life to helping those in need.

Related Pages |  Disaster Hero Stories

Welles Crowther

By: Brooke Ellis

Welles, Crowther, known as The Man in the Red Bandanna, saved 18 people in the 9/11 Twin Towers attack.

Parlui Valentina

By: Anastasia Raileanu

Parlui Valentina rescued her two granddaughters from a house fire started by an old TV.

Tad Agoglia

By: Amanda Molinaro from Irvine
Tad Agoglia is founder of the First Response Team of America.

     External Links

Downloadable Books: My Hero is You, Storybook for Children on COVID-19
Credit: IASC

A new story book that aims to help children understand and come to terms with COVID-19 has been produced by a collaboration of more than 50 organizations working in the humanitarian sector, including the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Save the Children.

With the help of a fantasy creature, Ario, “My Hero is You, How kids can fight COVID-19!” explains how children can protect themselves, their families and friends from coronavirus and how to manage difficult emotions when confronted with a new and rapidly changing reality.

Click here for the story in English.

Click here for choice of language translations of the book.

Additional resources at RedCross.org and Save the Children's Get Ready Get Safe sites.

Our Curators

 

Hero Stories curated by MY HERO General Editors Deborah Neff and Abigail Richardson.

 

Short films curated by MY HERO International Film Festival director Wendy Milette


Organizer created on 8/29/2018 5:11:43 PM by Xenia Shin

Last edited 7/22/2024 1:40:46 PM by Abigail Richardson

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