Student Tools for Emergency Planning program helps Wisconsin students prepare for disasters

MADISON, Wis. – Emergencies can strike at any moment, often without warning. While adults are typically the ones expected to manage these situations, it is just as crucial for children and teens to be prepared. That is where the Student Tools for Emergency Planning (STEP) program comes in. Designed for fourth and fifth grade students, STEP equips youth with knowledge and skills to handle common emergencies they might face in their communities.

“Teaching young people about disaster preparedness empowers them to protect not only themselves, but their families and their communities,” said Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Greg Engle. “With STEP, we’re not just giving teachers and students knowledge, we’re giving them the confidence and the tools to make a difference.”

The STEP program provides schools and other educational settings with a curriculum created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The lessons taught through the STEP program cover topics such as identifying hazards in their area, what to do during an emergency, and how students can create an emergency plan and kit with members of their household.

This year, nearly 4,500 fourth and fifth grade students in 85 classrooms and other educational settings are registered to participate in STEP.  Since launching in 2011, it is estimated more than 107,000 students across the state have participated in the program.

Wisconsin Emergency Management’s STEP program provides schools with free materials, such as a backpack and flashlight, to help students build their own emergency kits.

STEP is supported this year in part by a $10,000 grant from TC Energy, through its “Build Strong” social impact program.

“At TC Energy, safety is our number one value,” said Craig Summerfield, TC Energy’s state government and community relations advisor. “A key part of this commitment is fostering a culture where everyone adopts a safety-conscious mindset and takes ownership. We are grateful for the opportunity to enhance children’s emergency preparedness in the classroom through our partnership with the Wisconsin Emergency Management STEP program.”

Wisconsin educators interested in offering the STEP program to their fourth and fifth grade students can find more information at https://readywisconsin.wi.gov/step/.

STEP is part of the Wisconsin Emergency Management’s ReadyWisconsin campaign, which seeks to improve disaster readiness across the state. Wisconsin Emergency Management is a division of the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs. You can find more information about ReadyWisconsin at https://readywisconsin.wi.gov.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.