MyPI New York? What is that you ask? My Preparedness Initiative is a teen based program, open to youth ages 13-19, designed to foster community engagement through awareness of potential hazards: floods, winter storms, fires, terrorism, etc. Teens will learn about different types of response agencies and what they do, how to recognize hazards in their homes or workplaces, and how to prepare for them. Participants will earn certifications from Homeland Security, MyPI, and their CPR/AED training. Graduates will receive a MyPI Teen Community Emergency Response kits: including backpack, bump hat, flashlight, first aid kit, gloves, goggles, vest, and other items.
There are three main components to MyPI. In Component A, teenagers will complete the United States Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency-certified CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training and corresponding modules focusing on Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety and Utility Control, Disaster Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue, CERT Organization, Disaster Psychology, and Terrorism and CERT as well as all Hazard-related Annexes. In Component B, the Add-On
Catalog features certification in CPR and AED usage, along with a technology track comprised of awareness programs focusing on HAM radio, NOAA weather radio, smoke alarm maintenance, and smart phone apps and social media in emergency preparedness. The final element of the program, Component C, includes a comprehensive family and community service project entitled “Prep + 6” in which each participant helps develop emergency supply kits and emergency communication plans for their household AND 6 additional households. This component allows for significant enhancement in individual, family, and community preparedness and resilience, not to mention fostering youth leadership skills and characteristics. To graduate from the program, students must complete all components.
The program requires around 30 hours of training starting in January and running through May of 2025. Currently the proposed dates are 2-3 Thursday evenings a month, 6pm-8pm every other week, one full Thursday during the February break, and one full Thursday during the spring break, as well as a March Saturday.
The dates are January 7th & 23rd 6-8PM, February 6th 6-8PM & 20th 9AM-3:30PM (fire hazards or CPR/AED training), March 6th & 20th 6-8PM, April 3rd 6-8PM & 17th 9AM - 3:30PM, May 1st, 15th, and possibly the 29th (if needed). Attendance at 90% of programs will be required, especially full days sessions.
Any interested youth should contact John Bowe, MyPI New York Program Manager, at jfb32@cornell.edu or (518) 668-4881.
For additional information regarding MyPI New York please explore the different features of this website: https://mypinewyork.org/
