|
|
STRONG – Sylvia Yeaton is no stranger to the classroom.
Yeaton taught third grade for 35 years, before enjoying a short-term retirement. Now she’s the special projects coordinator with Franklin County Emergency Management Agency, having worked recently with the “at risk” population registration project and helping direct the Citizen Emergency Response Team. However her favorite part of the job, Yeaton said, is working with kids.
“There’s a lot of different things I like to do,” Yeaton said, introducing herself to a roomful of students at Strong Elementary School, “but I think the best part is coming and talking with people like you.”
STEP stands for Student Tools for Emergency Planning, and its funded through FEMA. Although a separate program from the preparedness lessons taught by local fire departments (Yeaton’s STEP presentation at the school coincided with local firefighters running their own demonstrations), STEP has similar goals. Teach kids things they can do to help during a disaster or emergency. In addition to helping get their parents involved and planning, STEP workshops can provide students with confidence during difficult events, like storms, fires and floods.
Yeaton meets with fourth and fifth graders across local school districts throughout the county. Yeaton talked with students about having an evacuation plan for their home, and ways to protect themselves and their families in an emergency. If caught in an open field during a thunderstorm, for example, students should curl up in a ball and hunker down on their tiptoes, rather than spreading out flat on the ground. If a road is flooded, with running water flowing across, kids shouldn’t try to cross.
“You can help your family,” Yeaton told students, “just by being prepared.”
The STEP program includes backpacks for the students, complete with a mini-disaster kit; flashlight, whistle, water bottle and a Mylar heat-retention blanket. Students are encouraged to find other helpful things to put into their kits, and Yeaton leaves teachers with a number of workshops and games they can play with their students.
More information about STEP and other FCEMA activities can be found on their website, at http://www.franklincountyema.org/db.
I am a former student of Mrs.Yeaton, as a matter of fact, she was my first teacher here in Franklin County when I moved from Lewiston. She was the first teacher I actually sat still to listen to. Her kindness and compassion is what made her my favorite teacher even 22 years later. Mrs. Yeaton – thank you for taking the time to teach me and help me. I am forever grateful!!! Sincerely, Jennie Bouchard