Responding to Tragedy
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 concern 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, and to do something for
the safety and well-being of children, the idea
of an education program that would better equip
school children for various types of emergencies
was conceived.
Ms. Mendelsohn has been at the forefront of a dedicated
group of concerned citizens who joined forces
to create Team SAFE-T, a program designed to increase
education and awareness in response to various
natural and man-made disasters in California.
As executive director, she has been an impassioned
champion of this educational effort.
“We live in a state where disasters are
commonplace, and we have a responsibility and
duty to teach our children the skills necessary
to help themselves and those around them when
an emergency or natural disaster strikes,”
said Hillary Mendelsohn, Team SAFE-T’s executive
director. “We are working to insure the
safety of our children and our communities by
equipping them to be smart, responsible, prepared
and ready.”
Partnering For Safety
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.
Through Team SAFE-T, these civic-minded organizations
are serving the citizens of California by providing
a fully integrated, educational safety and preparedness
materials to be administered statewide to students,
school administrators and families of the California
public-school system.
Along with educational materials specialists,
the program has developed school-based lessons
to teach age-appropriate emergency information
and preparedness skills to students in grades
K-12. This no-cost program, which is approved
for use in all California schools, is the first
all-hazards approach of its kind in America. When
taught in California schools, the Team SAFE-T
educational materials helps schools fulfill state
mandates to teach earthquake and fire preparedness
statewide and winter weather preparedness in Northern
California.
“Team SAFE-T is an important and innovative
program that will empower our children and their
families by providing the knowledge and skills
needed to effectively respond in various emergency
situations,” said Jack O’Connell,
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
“Team SAFE-T will provide our schools the
tools they need to comply with state mandates
for emergency instruction, and it will pave the
way to a safer and more prepared California.”
Making A Difference For Tomorrow
Team SAFE-T was created by a group of passionate
Californians who are 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 hopes to help
this and future generations of California’s
children grow into adults who naturally integrate
preparedness into their homes, workplaces, and
communities.
For more information, please contact Team SAFE-T at 866-71SAFE-T or
via e-mail at support@teamsafe-t.org.
