Humboldt Geography Alumna, Jenny Novak, to Receive FEMA Community Preparedness Honor.
Jenny Novak, CSUN Emergency Management (CA) - Northridge, California, still bears scars from the violent 1994 Northridge and 1971 Sylmar earthquakes, but most of the California State University, Northridge (CSUN) 42,000 students were born after those disasters and the institutional memory of those earthquakes is fading. With the increased possibility of active shooter incidents, as well as the continuing possibility of a natural catastrophe, eight university departments coordinated by CSUN Emergency Management participated in a fun but important exercise that had hundreds of students assembling their own disaster kits. The first Zombie Apocalypse Preparedness Scavenger Hunt was an interactive event to increase disaster preparedness within the CSUN student population. The event was advertised through social media, lawn signs on campus, flyers distributed at other campus events, and classroom discussions. Participating students went to stations across campus and collected emergency blankets, bandage dispensers, hand sanitizers, and other items for their disaster kits. Upon completion, students were entered into drawings for zombie-themed prizes.
About the Award
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the winners of the 2016 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards, recognizing the outstanding efforts of individuals, programs, and organizations throughout the country working to prepare their communities for emergencies.
“We are more prepared for disasters when everyone in the community works together,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “FEMA is proud to honor individuals and organizations who are building communities that are more prepared for emergencies through creativity, innovation and collaboration.”
This year’s award recipients developed innovative practices and programs that contributed to making communities safer, better prepared, and more resilient.
The 11 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Award recipients will be recognized on September 13, 2016 in Washington, D.C. During the recognition ceremony, recipients will share their experiences, success stories, and lessons learned with fellow emergency management leaders.
