HUD helps 5th Grade Class better understand Disaster Preparedness and Recovery

A representative from the Red Cross teaches students about disasters followed by HUD staff presenting via videoconference.

Before schools shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, staff from HUD and the American Red Cross were invited to discuss disaster recovery and preparedness to a class of fifth graders. The program was arranged to help educate students on how the community and government assist in disaster recovery and about family and personal disaster preparedness.

The presentation took place in Holli Burkart's class at Washington Center Elementary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. A representative from the Red Cross attended in person and spoke about how the Red Cross assists citizens after a disaster. Holli then introduced her brother-in-law David Railey, the Senior Management Analyst who presented through Skype on behalf of the HUD Kentucky Field Office. The idea for the presentations occurred during Thanksgiving dinner after hearing stories about various survivors he had encountered during his volunteer experiences supporting the Office of Disaster Management.

"This was a very rewarding experience for me. Achieving success in life and faring well during a disaster both hinge on preparedness. I just hope they achieved that positive lesson, but they more likely just went home and scared the daylights out of their parents," Railey said.

"One of our roles in FPM is to provide the best customer service experience we can to the public and that is even more important now, where many are hurting or facing uncertainty due to a disaster," said HUD Kentucky Field Office Director Peter Jackson endorsing the participation. "COVID-19 has been a real-life lesson in teaching the importance of preparedness and our office stands ready to offer support in any way possible". Both Jackson and HUD Indianapolis Field Office Director Kimberly Wize share a standing partnership supporting each other's efforts across state lines in the Kentuckiana region.

The presentation focused on distinguishing the roles of first responders and various agencies like HUD that assist in long-term recovery. HUD also shared the importance of public service and the humility one experiences helping those in need who have experienced trauma. The presentation concluded with an interactive exercise taken from www.ready.gov about being prepared for emergencies and what to include in a family emergency kit. Before saying good-bye, the children were challenged to be leaders in their home as it pertains to disaster preparedness.

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