OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) welcomes Alissa Hsueh from Irvine, Calif. 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.
Born and raised in Japan and Taiwan, Alissa Hsueh’s connection to these island countries and their earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters taught her the importance of preparedness at an early age. She is the founder of Northwood High School’s Teen Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) club and a member of the Red Cross club. Through Teen CERT, she works closely with school leadership to update and replenish emergency backpacks and lockdown kits for all classrooms. In addition, she has a passion for advocacy and has represented her debate team in front of legislators in Sacramento, the California state capital.
“Alissa Hsueh is a very mature student who is serious about her academics,” said Sam Lane, Counselor at Northwood High School. “Alissa is mastering the art of time management so that she can designate more of her energy each year to connecting to her community through methodical emergency preparedness.”
During her time on the council, Hsueh would like to create a Teen CERT or Preparedness Club start-up guide. She believes this would benefit any high school students interested in starting and running their own club and provide students and teacher advisers with lessons learned, action plans for campus activities, and ideas for outreach, events and fundraising. She hopes to gain exposure to local and national organizations where she can learn from the successes and failures of other programs.
To learn more about the FEMA YPC, please visit: www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness-council.
