Add a fully funded pilot program on Individual and Community Preparedness geared to age / maturity level to each school program in the Williston, Vermont Community. Pay for one full time specialist in the Town's Office of Emergency Management to be in charge of this program.

(Preparedness) All students will learn basic preparedness skills as mentioned in the "Are you Ready" guide. These will be tailored to the emotional and physical capabilities of each group. For example, younger children will help map out an escape route provided to them, learning about the importance of knowing where to meet in case of an emergency. They will learn to stop, drop and roll. Slightly older children will learn the importance of calling outside their area and who they will call, or what goes into a supply kit and when they need to rotate their stock of emergency supplies. Perhaps they will even educate their parent on having a vial of life or list of medications posted on their refrigerator for EMS crews. Older students will learn about hazards and threats, basic first aid, and CERT type of activities. They are our future planners, designers and residents. Awareness will be built surrounding the needs of the vulnerable populations and animals. Perhaps their awareness and engagement will be brought into their scouting groups, church groups or other affiliations to help with the needs of the vulnerable. For the High School students, application of their critical thinking skills and creativity as applied toward the risks and hazards of their living environment will make for engaged citizenry and an ever watchful community. This will come full circle as they become adults, moving on to other communities and having families of their own.

To earn a reward, parents will have to sign off on what their students have learned. On the plus side, they learn at the same time and the conversations are brought into the home. As a family they will 'fill in the blanks' to include checklists for supplies, alternate contact plans, what to bring with you to a shelter, and even create a plan for what they would do about an elderly neighbor, disabled child or pet.

Education surrounding Homeland Security would also be shared. As geared to the maturity level of the child, information would be discussed about what do do if they saw something suspicious or dangerous.

If 90 pecent or more in each school brought in their signed and practiced plan - and it was then filed with the emergency manager in the town, that school would receive funding for something of importance that would raise the level of protection/safety to that school or the community as a whole. (Mitigation) Each year it could be something different. A generator, new communication technology, supplies for a shelter, a warning system, a new road in or out of the school, a new sprinkler system, a bus to transport children out of the danger zone, a shelter, or simply removal of concrete under the playground and replacement of safer landing zones.

The children themselves would vote on the reward with input from the Town's Emergency Manager and the School System.

Goals met:

The foundation of personal responsibility starts at a young age. It is reinforced each year. They become part of the solutions.

Parental and School Involvement ensures success. Follow through at the level of the Town's Emergency Manager ensures knowing the big picture. Media attention for this town and showcasing the success stories along the way bring awareness to the greater community.

Community Preparedness is elevated based upon family plans turned in to the Emergency Manager, based upon the "reward" and Opportunities for engagement and learning happen 360 degrees. Mitigative efforts improve the whole community. The four phases of Emergency Management become engaged.