As students across California return to the classroom this school year, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is helping schools do more than prepare for tests and homework. We’re helping students prepare for emergencies.
The Preparedness Ambassadors Program provides fourth-grade teachers with a fun, standards-based curriculum that teaches students how to prepare for disasters at home, at school, and in their communities. By introducing emergency preparedness at an early age, students gain practical knowledge they can share with their families while helping build more resilient communities across California.
Why fourth grade? California has more than 450,000 fourth-grade students each year, and research shows this is a time when children are especially curious and eager to learn. In a state where wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and other hazards are part of everyday life, those lessons can have a lasting impact.
Since the program launched, more than 4,000 students representing 61 schools, 31 school districts, and 26 California counties have become Preparedness Ambassadors.
The program gives teachers everything they need to bring emergency preparedness into their classrooms, including:
- Standards-aligned lessons covering wildfires, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, power outages, volcanoes, tornadoes, and other hazards.
- Real-world examples using California disasters whenever possible.
- Flexible lessons designed to fit a variety of classroom environments.
- Interactive activities that encourage students to create family emergency plans, explore the Family Readiness Guide, develop preparedness posters, and engage with their communities.
- A Preparedness Ambassador certificate for every student who completes the program.
- No registration or cost is required — teachers can get started right away.
Getting started is simple. Request information or printed copies directly from the Preparedness Ambassadors Program, that makes it easier than ever to bring preparedness education into the classroom. Teachers can also download the program straight from our website.
To complement the curriculum, the Preparedness Ambassadors Activity Book provides ready-to-use activities featuring the “Preparedness Squad.” With crossword puzzles, word searches, engaging facts, and hands-on exercises, the activity book reinforces emergency preparedness concepts while making learning fun and interactive.
Classrooms participating in the program may also receive preparedness-themed materials such as stickers, bookmarks, backpacks, and magnets while supplies last.
Emergency preparedness starts with education. By empowering students with the knowledge and confidence to prepare for disasters, the Preparedness Ambassadors Program helps create safer schools, stronger families, and more resilient communities throughout California.
As another school year begins, Cal OES is proud to support California educators in preparing the next generation, not just for the classroom but for whatever challenges the future may bring.
GET STARTED
Bring the Preparedness Ambassadors Program to your classroom! The curriculum is free and available to California fourth-grade educators, with no registration required.
Ready to get started?
- Download the curriculum: Preparedness Ambassadors Program
- Request information or printed materials: Contact Abby Tirapelle at abigayle.tirapelle@caloes.ca.gov
- Explore additional school preparedness resources: Cal OES School Emergency Planning & Safety
Help your students become Preparedness Ambassadors and bring emergency preparedness home, to school, and into the community!
Links
Cal OES Preparedness Ambassadors Program
Cal OES School Emergency Planning & Safety
California Department of Education