Public Outreach Manager
(405) 496-9327
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Youth Preparedness Camp
We are so excited that it’s that time of year again…
However, the location has changed for 2023…
The Oklahoma Youth Preparedness Council will host the annual Oklahoma Youth Preparedness Camp (OKYPC), July 9-14 on the Murray State College Campus in Tishomingo, OK.
The free overnight camp is open to students grades 9-12. Participants will stay in MSC residence halls. All will need their own transportation to and from the campus.
The camp is geared to students who want to help their school and family become more prepared for emergency situations. Students will learn about community action planning and gain basic emergency response skills. At the end of the camp, all participants, including adult chaperones, will get a 20-hour Community Emergency Response Team certificate. The camp is a great chance for students to develop leadership capabilities while having fun. They will leave with the basic life skills needed to improve the safety and resilience in their homes, schools, and communities. Preparing these students is the greatest gift we can give them.
All students (teams) must have a chaperone (s) that will be attending the camp also.
The deadline to register is June 10, 2023.
Sign up at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1guxObo3ghnYDZdFCXfp-pnq0ag0U_WBCtrK4MLTsKSM/edit or through QR code on poster.
About the Oklahoma Youth Preparedness Council:
Since 2019, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security have worked with local emergency managers, tribes, volunteer agencies, youth and FEMA Region 6 to develop the Oklahoma Youth Preparedness Council. The council educates Oklahoma youth in emergency preparedness to develop future generations of resilient adults.
To learn how you can support the council and the OKYPC camp. For more information, please contact tracey.bender@oem.ok.gov.
What is CERT?
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using CERT training learned in the classroom and during exercises, individuals can assist others in their neighborhood, workplace or school following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.
Why take CERT Training?
The primary reason for CERT training is to give people the decision making, organizational and practical skills to offer immediate assistance to family members, neighbors and associates while waiting for help.
Who can take the training?
Naturals for the training are neighborhood watch, community organizations, communities of faith, school staff, workplace employees, scouting organizations and other groups that come together regularly for a common purpose but individuals who are not affiliated with a group may also take the course to learn skills that are useful in disaster and everyday life events.
Want to host a CERT class?
Check out FEMA's You Are The Help Until Help Arrives web based training.