In today’s emergency management world, things are changing by the minute. We are losing our most seasoned leaders and now face the challenge of filling the gaps left behind with new generations. By starting CERT and emergency preparedness programs at both the High School and College levels, we not only begin to develop forward-thinking preparedness skills in our younger generations but also introduce the possibilities of how a career in emergency management and community service can change lives, communities, and countries’ responses to the changing climate, technology, and confidence in the face of disasters.

This presentation will cover the challenges and successes within a highly liberal college and community partners to change the cancel culture, understand the catch-and-release changes to students and staff, observe diversity, equity, and inclusiveness, and build preparedness awareness through a whole community approach with such programs offered through the advanced CERT programs as First Aid/CPR+AED, Stop the Bleed, plus hands-on Fire Extinguisher training, Opioid Overdose Prevention, and, most importantly, the whole Campus CERT training.

What Will the Audience Learn:

The audience will take away the value of educating our younger generations to emergency preparedness and community awareness. There is value in introducing the most basic emergency management opportunities and information to emerging generations. As Emergency Management professionals it is our responsibility to provide young generations with the tools to knowledge of resources in emergency situations, and how to assist their communities as the current culture today does not teach them these lessons. And we need to inspire a new generation to emergency management opportunities and inspire service to their community.

Course Level: Intermediate

About the Presenter

Jackie LaVerne is the Environmental Health and Safety Emergency Management Coordinator and CERT Program Manager for The Evergreen State College. An Army Veteran, she is a former Pierce College HSEM student whose studies in Emergency Management include Tribal Emergency Management, Visual Cultural Anthropology, Program Management, Business Continuity, Hazard Mitigation, Grants, Public Speaking, and Disaster Recovery/Preparedness.Jackie currently also works with EMGWA as an Emergency Manager for Special Olympics events, WASEMA as an active membership steward, The Washington State Disaster Reserves as a Recovery Specialist, PIEPC as an active volunteer, Lend a Hand Organization, and works with a Veterans group collective of homes in Pierce County to support food distribution to Disabled Veterans and their service dogs.