C.A.R.E. Program Teaches Kids Emergency Skills In Tuscaloosa

September marks National Preparedness Month, the annual campaign to remind everyone that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families and their communities safe.

The annul emphasis on awareness and preparedness stems from the terrorist attacks on New York City's World Trade Center, the Pentagon in Arlington VA and the crash of hijacked United Flight 93, brought down by passengers who fought back at the terrorists who seized control of the plane as it was headed toward our nation's capital.

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The White House and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) realized a critical need for increased awareness of the various threats to society and how to prepare to mitigate their impacts.

Thus, National Preparedness Month was launched in September of 2004. It was started to develop collaboration between government, volunteer and community organizations at all levels of U.S. society.

Locally, the Tuscaloosa County Emergency Management Agency, Tuscaloosa County E-911 and Tuscaloosa City School Magnet School - Elementary are partnering to bring emergency preparedness to students.

The Communities & Agencies for Readiness and Education (C.A.R.E.) Program has been launched to emphasize to students how to become more involved in community preparedness.

In an interview with Tuscaloosa County EMA program coordinator Delia Ozment, she told Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa the goal of the program is to:

Inspire the next generation of community leaders,
Showcase the roles in emergency preparedness and response played by the community agencies and organizations,
Strengthen collaboration with local partners, and
Help grow a county-wide culture of safety and readiness.

In this turbulent time of distrust, the program aims to foster trust and comfort with first responders by meeting them in a friendly, non-threatening environment. The students will also learn age-appropriate lessons dealing with fire safety, how to call 9-1-1 and what to do if you become lost. Knowledge is the key to dealing calmly and effectively with emergencies of all types.

"During the April 27th tornado I had no previous interaction with first responders, and I had never seen first responders as day-to-day people," Ozment noted in describing the genesis of the new program locally. "I saw them bigger than life and intimidating so, this program gives us the opportunity to bridge that gap for today's young people."

Ozment describes the new program as giving young people empowerment in dealing with emergencies and disasters.

The six-week C.A.R.E. program began at Tuscaloosa Magnet School - Elementary on Tuesday and will run through October 28. The weekly afternoon sessions will bring in 1st responders, public works and other organizations to share about their roles in community response, highlight teamwork in emergencies and provides hands-on experience with equipment and resources.

Organizations who would like to participate in C.A.R.E. can contact Delia Ozment at 205-349-0150 or by email at dozment@tuscco.com.