I have to side with our callers who said, "It can't hurt." Whenever I get skeptical about whether children will actually remember the information they are told about emergency situations, I think of the stories we've covered with children calling 911 when their parents are in dangerous situations. One boy last year actually saved his mother's life by knowing exactly what to say when he dialed 9-1-1. Like I said...it can't hurt.

Kids at P.S. 131 in Borough Park, Brooklyn got a lesson in disaster preparedness today. The school took part in the FEMA for Kids program, which brings FEMA workers into a school to discuss how the organization assists the community when there’s a disaster, and what students can do to be prepared. FEMA aims to keep the 30- to 45- minute presentation kid-friendly, trying to inform children, not scare them. They also play a game with a disaster kit to show students what goes into a kit and what does not.

FEMA is offering the free presentation to any school in the area while workers are taking part in recovery efforts. That’s where the irony comes in…the presentations tend to take place once a disaster has occurred. What do you say?

What’s your reaction to the FEMA for Kids program in schools? Is teaching students how to be prepared for a disaster effective? Should emergency preparedness classes be taught in advance, or is it better late than never? Would you like to see this program come to your child’s school?

Send your thoughts using the e-mail link above.

This is such wonderful stuff! Congratulations, NYC.
- An appreciator.

Sounds like a good idea. Certainly won't hurt. At least they'll have some knowledge of what has to be done in disaster situations.

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

It just continues to amaze me that we have come so far with our disasters for someone to finally realize that it would be a good idea to prepare the children in case of another disaster without frightening them. Most of all it's free!!! wow ee!!

They have been the disaster after the disaster. There have been numerous complaints over and over again about this agency FEMA. People have been left in the lurch and many have paid into it for years and what they have offered is an insult and how dare this government disrespect us like this. No one has any use for them and sooner than later the bubble will burst and I can't even imagine what will happen in this situation. How dare all of these politicians take all the bows even in Washington and again I ask where are they=[PHANTOMS] We send money all over the world and we are the most generous in our own country in dire need of help and all these American Citizens are asking for is what they paid for.

maxxiee
mp

Emergency Disaster preparedness should be a mandatory curriculum to be taught in public schools in NYC, just like AIDs curriculum.There is already a curriculum from NYC Office of Emergency Management OEM known as "Ready New York for kids" and for adults that include hurricane evacuation education and Zone A maps, as well as fire, heat, and cold emergencies preparedness. Its available in many languages.Thanks and best regards.

Obed