The Saline County Youth Preparedness Council recently met for the first time and has brought together twelve students representing each of the four high schools in Saline County (Bauxite, Benton, Bryant and Harmony Grove) to cast away local rivalries and focus on protecting the whole community. This Council is the first of its kind at the county level in Arkansas and FEMA Region VI. The purpose is to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Council and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management’s State Council and their commitment to involve our community’s youth in preparedness-related activities.
These young leaders have been selected through their interest in supporting emergency preparedness and making a difference in their communities. The council provides a stronger avenue to engage the up and coming generation by taking into account their perspectives, feedback and opinions on emergency preparedness strategies, initiatives and projects for our area. These students will continue to visit with, learn from and work with first responders and emergency preparedness representatives throughout their term. Youth Preparedness Council members will also complete a number of emergency preparedness community service projects, exercises and trainings to help create a more resilient Saline County.