DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) welcomes Naomi Winston from Thibodaux, La. as one of the 15 national selectees for the 2017–2019 Youth Preparedness Council (YPC).
The FEMA YPC was formed in 2012 to bring together high school-age youth leaders from across the country who are interested and engaged in emergency preparedness. The 15 council members are attending the YPC Summit in Washington, D.C., from July 18-19, to meet with FEMA leaders and prepare for the year ahead.
Naomi Winston served as the Louisiana representative for the FEMA Region VI Youth Preparedness Council the past two years. Winston is a captain of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff Explorer Post 323 and serves as a certified Teen Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member. In addition to her CERT activities, Winston recently created and distributed disaster preparedness pamphlets to local schools.
“We are excited about Naomi’s selection to the National YPC,” said FEMA Region VI Administrator Tony Robinson. “We have watched her evolve into a strong and confident leader. We look forward to supporting her as she moves her work in youth preparedness to the national arena.”
This upcoming school year, Winston plans to host emergency preparedness seminars for elementary school children. During her time on the national council, Winston would like to start a state youth preparedness council in Louisiana. She would also like to collaborate in the establishment of teen CERT programs.
“Naomi has a magnetic personality and doesn’t shy away from taking on responsibility and living up to those responsibilities” said Captain Lafate Elliott Day, Jr., academy director for the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy. “She has proven to be an ambassador, showing that today’s youth have the tools and ability to continue to lead another generation.”
To learn more about the FEMA YPC, please visit: www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness-council.
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