DENTON, Texas – September is National Preparedness Month. In recognition of that, North Texas emergency managers teamed up today for an “Open House for Preparedness,” where they shared their knowledge and experience with hundreds of third graders in the Duncanville Independent School District (ISD).

The students interacted one-on-one with experts from the city of Duncanville Fire Department and Police Department; the Best Southwest Community Emergency Response Team (CERT); the American Red Cross; and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

They learned critical emergency information such as how to prepare for any type of disaster including fires, earthquakes and tornadoes; how to put together an emergency preparedness kit; and how to be aware of “stranger danger.”

“Over the next few weeks, our third grade students will be studying catastrophic events and their impact on communities, and how to better prepare their own families for catastrophes,” said Duncanville ISD Chief Academic Officer Liz Birdwell. “Today’s event gave students direct access to emergency experts, who shared in an engaging and meaningful way what preparedness means and what it looks like.”

“We are so excited to work with our partners to share this very important preparedness message with everyone – especially the students,” said FEMA Region 6 Deputy Administrator David Passey. “That’s because preparedness starts at home and, very often, young people are the catalyst for action in their families.”

Tools and resources are available to help you prepare for, respond to and recover from any type of disaster. Visit www.Ready.gov or the Spanish language site www.Listo.gov. These sites include important information such as how to put together an emergency kit, make a plan and stay informed. 

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
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