Non-Profit Youth Emergency Preparedness Training Program Earns State and National Honors

July 27, 2015 - PRLog -- The Mid America Teen Community Emergency Response Team, based in St. Charles County, Missouri, recently earned the distinction as the No. 1 Emergency Preparedness Program and Youth Program in Missouri, and No. 1 Child and Youth Emergency Preparedness Program and Outstanding Achievement in Youth Preparedness in America for 2015.  Mid America TEEN CERT has held the honor as No. 1 Emergency Preparedness Program and Youth Program in Missouri since 2010; however, this was the first year the program was selected No. 1 Child and Youth Emergency Preparedness Program in the country, having been second to the American Red Cross the past four years.

The program operates entirely without a budget or funding, however training is free of charge to anyone wanting to take the course. That said, the popularity of the Mid America TEEN CERT program increases every year, training more students and out-performing many of the city, police and fire department sponsored programs that receive local, state and private funding and grants. However, as popularity increases, the demand on training supplies and materials increase.  Currently, all training costs incurred are paid for by the program’s director, Mark Rosenblum.  “I would rather students learn how to handle emergency situations and keep themselves and family safe, than worry about how can they afford the training,” says Rosenblum.  “Of course I would love to see some generous benefactor or company donate something to help offset the costs, but in 13 years of running the program, it has not happened.  Who knows, maybe one day”, Rosenblum says with a smile.

Mid America TEEN CERT is not a stranger to recognition.  In 2010, the program was chosen to receive the FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Award through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  Prior to that, Mid America had been named by FEMA as one of the top three emergency response and preparedness programs in the nation for its productivity and initiatives in the area of youth preparedness.  In 2013, Emily Rosenblum, one of the founding members of the program, was selected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency to join the National Youth Preparedness Council as the FEMA Region VII representative (including Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas); in 2014, Emily went on to be chosen as the National Council Chairman, overseeing the 15 representatives from the ten FEMA regions across the 50 states and Puerto Rico.  The program has also been highlighted in several publications, including a FEMA-produced how-to guide for "Implementing a Youth Preparedness Program".

In addition to training students, Mid America TEEN CERT supports a great number of charities and events.  The program includes an extensive unit on medical operations and recently, 40 of the programs’ graduates supplied primary medical support for over 1600 participants for a couple of events which benefitted BackStoppers.  The team also participates in the Red Cross ‘Ready-Rating’ Program and President’s Volunteer Service Award Program, as well as the Missouri ‘Adopt-A-Highway’ program and is a member of the FEMA National Preparedness Month Coalition and several other non-emergency-related community projects, including fairs, parades, fundraisers and safety events.  In 2012, Mid America TEEN CERT founded Venturing Crew 2633, the only emergency preparedness based Venturing program in the nation.

The Mid America TEEN CERT program trains on average 7 to 8 classes a year with about 30 students per class.  Since the program was officially established with FEMA in August of 2007, they have taught nearly 1000 teens and adults how to assist in the event of an emergency and or natural disaster and to be prepared to assist their families and emergency services, and to respond to any situation effectively and efficiently without placing themselves in unnecessary danger.  Students are taught how to manage utilities and put out small fires, treat the three medical killers and provide basic medical aid, search for and rescue victims safely, assist people with special and functional needs, and collect disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts.

The specialized emergency preparedness training provides students the skills necessary to perform under pressure by developing multi-functional response teams that supplement community emergency services during major disasters. With the help of firefighters, paramedics, doctors, crisis counselors and other qualified instructors, the program teaches disaster medical, fire safety, psychology and search and rescue.  Because of this, several of the program’s graduates have been recognized for their assistance and service to the community; for instance saving an elderly neighbor from a house fire, or assisting two motorcycle accident victims with multiple broken bones by using the skills that they had learned taking the TEEN CERT course.

Mid America TEEN CERT is made up entirely of volunteer instructors and citizens.  Many school districts, church groups, clubs, special needs groups and other groups and organizations are requesting the assistance of the program.  In November, Mid America TEEN CERT, with the help of the Greater St. Louis Area Council Boy Scouts of America, will be presenting “When Disaster Strikes!”, the nations’ largest Community Emergency Preparedness presentation and training ever attempted, with an estimated 500-1000 participants.

For further information about TEEN CERT or programs in your area, contact Mid America TEEN CERT Program Director Mark Rosenblum at mark.rosenblum@outlook.com.