Boy Scouts Learn About Emergency Preparedness

Last week, Boy Scouts from around the state, along with the adult leaders, spent the day at the New Hampshire Fire Academy learning about emergency preparedness from the experts – the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Donald Vincent, a community and individual preparedness specialist for FEMA Region I, spoke to the Scouts about “leadership in emergency management,” the focus of the four-hour program.

Dan Andrus, Concord’s fire chief, welcomed everyone to the session that was the first time the program has been offered in the state.

According to Dave Danielson of the New Hampshire Division of Fire Standards & Training, the Scouts learned basic emergency management concepts, how to prepare and conduct group presentations and about the fields of homeland security and business continuity.

They also participated in “role-playing leadership positions managing incidents, practicing critical thinking skills, strategic reasoning, difficult decision making and working with a team.”

In an afternoon session, the scouts worked on fire safety and first aid merit badge requirements.