(NMC) — Since 2019, Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Services' My Preparedness Initiative or MyPI, in partnership with Homeland Security Emergency Management, the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, the Public School System and the Division of Youth Services, has been fostering emergency preparedness, community resilience, and youth leadership through proactive outreach.
MyPI Northern Mariana Islands is a component of the National Youth Preparedness Initiative or MyPI National, a partnership of 27 states and two U.S. territories, delivering an innovative and engaging curriculum for teenagers. The MyPI program has won three national awards since its inception.
The initiative is a flexible and engaging five to ten week program that offers a Community Emergency Response Team or CERT curriculum foundation, CPR/AED certification, disaster simulations, and allows participants to do a comprehensive family and community service project or Prep+6.
The Prep+6 project has its participants help their household and six additional households develop emergency supply kits and emergency communication plans. This component allows for significant enhancement in individual, family, and community preparedness and resilience.
In addition, the 13-18-year-olds who enter into the MyPI program will complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency certified CERT training and learn about Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety and Utility Control, Disaster Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue, the CERT Organization, Disaster Psychology, Terrorism and CERT, Hazard related Annexes, Earthquakes, Excessive Heat, Fire, Floods, Hurricanes and Coastal Storms, Landslides and Mudflows, Nuclear Power Plant Emergencies, Pandemic Influenza, Severe Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Tsunamis, Volcanoes, and Winterstorms.
For more information about the MyPI program, contact Tayna Belyeu-Camacho, MyPI NMI Program Manager at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 237.6841. Interested individuals can also visit https://mypinorthernmarianaislands.org/ or follow them on Facebook (@MyPICNMI).