Women and girls recruited for emergency management programs [Government Technology] – Insurance Newsnet

August 12 — A large number of girls and young women were introduced to the crisis management arena last week. Diversity and Inclusion Institute Emergency Management (I-DIEM) and Partners Farmers insurance 1 week HERricane program Los Angeles.

The program aims to develop diversity in emergency management, especially among girls and young women who may otherwise lack pathways to emergency management and similar careers.

Participants with diverse backgrounds, from junior high school students to junior college students, participated in hands-on development training activities aimed at highlighting disaster preparedness, emergency management, and other skills necessary for their careers. . Attendees also received keynote speeches by FEMA administrators. Dean Criswell.

All participants were able to participate for free. Farmers insuranceand other sponsors including The Hero in You Foundation and local councilors.

It was an experience most or all of the participants would not have had without the HERricane program. That’s why the HERricane program exists.

“Some of these young women, coming from foster homes, not the best schools, are sitting in classrooms and seeing them for the first time at EOC. FEMA head with admin Farmers insurance It is monumental to speak,” he said. Chauncia WillisCEO and co-founder of I-DIEM.

The program is offered to schools, cities, and other groups to recruit young women and girls to participate in a template program or a locally adapted program.

“In terms of curriculum, it’s pretty much standardized,” says Willis. “We give the place the opportunity to be very specific to the place in several ways. Los Angeles It was clear that we wanted to incorporate information about earthquake scenarios and seismology. “

Cities, schools, or organizations interested in participating can contact I-DIEM for an application process to develop an event. Philadelphia using an existing connection with boys and girls Other community organizations to connect with diverse people and recruit participants. Participants must be a diverse group of girls.in the case of Philadelphiathe program included more fire rescue scenarios than the standard program.

The program started with Arlington, Virginia, which was later taken over by I-DIEM.It really started to take off when the partnership with Farmers insurance I started.

“We intended to partner with like-minded organizations like Farmers who are in the same disaster response and recovery space and who care about equity,” Willis said. When I saw the number of women in leadership positions, I knew this would be a great partnership.”

Farmers is also inviting some of the HERricane program participants to join the Farmers Internship Program.

“The program has done a good job of motivating girls and women not only in crisis management but also in other areas,” he said. Trevor Chapman, Director of External Communications and Public Relations for Farmers. “Girls are starting to think about what is available outside the private sector, such as billing and response.This is one of the biggest reasons for Farmers to be involved.”

The program was initially aimed at girls aged 12 to 18, but Farmers suggested recruiting older girls for a quicker impact.

Two-thirds of women and people of color begin their studies at community colleges, Willis said. “So if you want to diversify the field for women and people of color, community colleges are essential to that diversification, and honestly, this is where Farmers stepped in and said, ‘We’re going to do this more strategically. I just said, let’s see.”

With 23 years of experience in emergency management, Willis knows what it’s like to be in a male-dominated field and wants to make it easier for those who follow in her footsteps. I believe.

“I was the only woman in the room. I was the only woman of color in the room,” she said. It’s important to make it more representative of the people experiencing it.”

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