Team SAFE-T - Making a Difference for Tomorrow

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.