In the heartrending days and weeks that followed the horrific events of September 11, 2001, citizens nationwide were left with an unsettling sense of vulnerability and powerlessness. During this time, many parents instinctively turned their thoughts to concerns for their children’s safety, and what the future might hold for them. Driven by a desire to make something positive come from the tragedy, a group of concerned citizens got together to develop Team SAFE-T, a program dedicated to helping children and adults become better prepared for disasters of any nature.

The continuing goal of the program is to teach awareness and responsibility by empowering students and providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively respond in various emergency situations. Team SAFE-T’s focus on children and youth emulates successful public outreach programs of the past, such as recycling and dial 911, in which students shared the lessons they learned in the classroom with their families and caregivers at home. Team SAFE-T hopes to help this and future generations of California’s children grow into adults who naturally integrate preparedness into their homes, workplaces, and communities.

With an unwavering commitment to the school children of California, the founders of Team SAFE-T are bringing this important program to fruition using seed money from a $1 million grant from the SBC Foundation. Since its inception, Team SAFE-T has brought together a coalition of supportive public and private partners, including SBC, California Department of Education, American Red Cross, California Service Corps, Office of the First Lady, Maria Shriver, California State Alliance, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services/California Office of Homeland Security, California Broadcasters Association, Univision Communications Inc./La Opinion, Channel One Network, University of California, Los Angeles - Center for Public Health & Disasters, California Professional Firefighters, James Lee Witt Associates, LLC, Federal Emergency Management Agency and California Highway Patrol.

Team SAFE-T is the school-based component of the Disaster Resistant California campaign. Materials include lesson plans, discussion topics, activity worksheets and take-home assignments. Each grade-specific set of materials includes five 45-minute lessons to be taught over five days during the statewide School Safety Month.

Additionally, families will be invited to participate in take-home activities and attend an assembly where Emergency Responders will address how to create a family emergency plan and improve preparedness skills. The greater community will also benefit from the program through a marketing outreach that involves Service Corps volunteer groups, partnering organizations, corporations, and Public Service Announcements to raise awareness and educate individuals on how to work together as a community in the event of a disaster.

In California, whether it’s wildfires, earthquakes or winter storms — it’s not a matter of if a disaster will strike, but when. The Golden State faces its share of natural disasters, and it is certainly not immune to other emergency situations. With this in mind, here are 10 ways you can be disaster prepared:

1. Identify Your Risk
2. Create a Family Disaster Plan
3. Practice Your Disaster Plan
4. Build a Disaster Supply Kit For Your Home and Car
5. Prepare Your Children
6. Don’t Forget Those With Special Needs
7. Learn CPR and First Aid
8. Eliminate Hazards in Your Home and The Workplace
9. Understand Post 9/11 Risks
10. Get Involved, Volunteer, Bear Responsibility

For in-depth information on steps you can take to prepare yourself and your family, please visit the OES web site.