I work for FEMA and have helped roll out the STEP (Student Tools for Emergency Planning Program). We partnered with our emergency management agencies in each of the 6 states to initiate STEP in 36 schools across New England.

The STEP program teaches students at the 4th or 5th grade level basic skills for dealing with common emergencies and results in students building emergency kits and family communication plans at home. Students receive student “starter” emergency backpacks with emergency supply items such as a bottle of water, emergency blanket and flashlight.

Participating schools are required to teach the 1-hour base lesson utilizing a fun 14-minute movie called “The Adventures of the Disaster Dudes”. There are supplemental lessons teachers can choose from to reinforce that base lesson.

This program is being offered at no cost to schools and we are currently looking for additional schools to add to the participant list for the 2009-2010 school year. If your school district is interested, please reach out to your state emergency management agency or you can email directly at Michelle.Collins@dhs.gov.

Thank you