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STEP on the Move

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STEP on the Move

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STEP class with trooper

Student Tools for Emergency Planning (STEP)

Emergencies can strike without warning. These events can be frightening to adults but they can be traumatic for children who may not know what to do. The STEP program teaches students strategies they can implement at home to prepare for emergencies. Equipping students with this knowledge can lessen the anxiety they feel during disasters, give them the sense of control in a disaster situation, and can save their lives.

STEP has three main learning objectives:

  • Students will learn about the disasters, emergencies, and hazards common in their community and strategies to appropriately react to those situations.
  • Students will learn how they and their family can assemble emergency preparedness kits.
  • Students will learn to create a family communications plan.

STEP Curriculum

The STEP curriculum includes information and resources that cover the basic principles of youth emergency planning education and focus on having the students develop a family emergency communications plan and a disaster supply kit.

Equipping families with these two important elements can ease disruption for everyone and can even help save lives. For children, gaining knowledge of what to do in emergencies beforehand can also give them a feeling of confidence, control, and calm in a time that could otherwise be traumatic.

Teaching Objectives:

  • Provide general knowledge of emergencies or disasters common to their area and strategies for appropriately reacting to those events.
  • Teach students how to create a family emergency communications plan.
  • Teach students how to assemble an emergency preparedness kit with their families.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Students are more knowledgeable, capable, and prepared in the event of an emergency or disaster.
  • Students are positive influencers in helping their families be better prepared.