The State of Kentucky faces many disasters that are mostly weather related; from winter storms, heavy winds, tornadoes, lightning, and flooding. In addition to these natural disasters that call for emergency preparedness, Kentucky recorded 1,330 overdose deaths in 2016. With so many challenges revolving drug overdoses to multiple gun shootings as well as natural disasters, preparing the youths on how to respond became a necessity. Therefore, the Youth Emergency Preparedness (YEP) event of Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program was established by Gill Finley, an Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) delegate, to educate young individuals on emergency preparedness for natural and man-made disasters.

The event was held on June 20, 2018 at the Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm in Franklin County, KY. Approximately 70 participants attended the event. The participants ranging in age from 14 to 24 years were first generation and low income students aspiring to go to college, as well as high school drop outs who recently completed high school degrees and were learning a trade for a career. The event kicked off with a panel discussion that had a local fire fighter, a 911 representative, and a police as panelists. Participants had the opportunity to engage the panelists in discussions on what to do in emergency situations. At the end of the panel discussion session, participants were trained and equipped with emergency response skills for natural disasters, man-made disasters, and other critical situations.

Participants asked questions that promoted an open atmosphere for drawing personal experience from getting a cat out of a very narrow and high chimney to arresting violent offenders. Also, they quickly became aware that whether they lived in the rural counties or urban cities geographically, an emergency needs a 911 response!

The event also had breakout sessions where each panelist discussed awareness, preparedness, safety, and emergency responses as related to their area of expertise. Overall, topics like basics for apartment or home fires, handling fireworks; what to do if an active shooter appears such as run, hide, and fight; recognition of cardiac arrest were covered during the break out sessions. Of interest to these participants were demonstrations of what to do in emergency situations. The students were engaged in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and chest compressions on dummies. They were also trained and equipped with fire extinguishers, and also provided with the opportunity to respond when pulled over by the police for a traffic violation and how to follow instructions.

The youth seized the emergency awareness opportunity and gained emergency response experience and knowledge so they can improve chances of survival and recovery for someone! “A few of the students said, you see so many things on Face Book, You Tube or Snap Chat of what people do during an emergency, but it‘s great to be trained and know the correct ways when someone is in trouble! We are glad to get this information and experience to be prepared”! Another participant said, on a scale of 1-10, I am now at 10 and feel confident of how to respond quickly to an emergency situation that can become a disaster”!