Empowering Future Leaders: Troy High Students Step Up in Emergency Preparedness Training
Students from Troy High School, Fullerton, California, participated in an inspiring initiative to promote safety and resilience. They completed intensive emergency preparedness training. They worked alongside Fullerton’s Fire and Police departments. Thirty-seven students from the Troy Preparedness Club met at the Fullerton Public Library. They learned hands-on skills to help them respond to emergencies. These emergencies range from fires to hazardous material situations and even light search and rescue.
The Troy Preparedness Club was founded by Allen Hsieh. He is in 10th grade. He had a formative experience with a fire scare in his family home as a young child. Allen wanted to make preparedness accessible to his classmates. He initiated this three-day workshop in collaboration with the Fullerton Fire and Police Departments. He also received support from Troy’s NJROTC instructor, Commander William Lauper. “Our mission is to train students and equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills. In the case of a disaster, they should not be victims but survivors,” Allen said.
The training adapted the national Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program to fit a high school setting. Key speakers included Fullerton Emergency Manager Kristi Hofstetter Batiste, Fire Chief Adam Loeser, and Police Chief Jon Radus. They guided students through emergency response protocols. They also reinforced the importance of community resilience. Practical activities included fire safety simulations led by Battalion Chief Ismail Maturino and hands-on first-aid modules. The training covered a broad spectrum of topics. It ranged from disaster psychology to team organization. This provided a foundation of skills that prove invaluable in emergencies.
For students like Myra Su, the experience was transformative. “I educated myself on dangerous hazards. I also learned how to act quickly and calmly during an emergency,” Myra said. “I can use this knowledge to help my family and friends in times of danger, keeping them safe and composed.”
Upon completing the course, each participant received a CERT certification and a survival backpack filled with emergency tools. Students involved in the NJROTC program also earned a CERT ribbon, symbolizing their dedication to community safety.
Principal Dr. William Mynster commended the initiative. He recognized its significance. This holds particular importance because the Fullerton Joint Union High School District recently adopted the Incident Command System model. This model is for emergency preparedness. He expressed gratitude to Allen and the club’s leadership for enhancing campus safety. “Thank you to our student Allen Hsieh and the other students. Thank you to their club advisor, NJROTC instructor Commander William Lauper. You have added another layer of knowledge and preparedness for our Troy family in case of a disaster,” Dr. Mynster stated.
Looking ahead, the Troy Preparedness Club is gearing up to extend their training to even more students. The club plans to host weekend workshops. These workshops will be open to students and their families. The club expects to certify an extra 40 students in emergency response skills over the summer. Interested students can find more information through resources like Teen CERT. These resources foster a culture of readiness and resilience across communities.
Source:
- https://youtu.be/KKrRq4VVdjI?si=qPWiBxtEYAzkoznq
- https://newsroom.ocde.us/troy-high-school-students-prepare-to-aid-their-community-with-disaster-response-training/
- https://chatgpt.com/
- https://readloud.net/
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