Dear youth of Nevada County,
My name is Zuleyka Deniz and this summer I had the opportunity to intern with the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services. The Office of Emergency Services wanted a youth intern because they wanted to understand why the information they are putting out is not getting attention from the youth of Nevada County. As a part of the youth, I know what it is like. I have insight that older people may not have. I know where the youth are and where they spend some of their time. This connection makes it easier to connect with them. It also helps that through this position I learned why it is so important to be prepared for not only wildfires, but any type of emergency. Because I was able to learn about emergency preparedness, I am able to take all the information about fire safety, heat safety, and safe recreation and create content like “Beat the Heat” flyers and select OES youth items that will grab the attention of the youth in a fun and lighthearted way.
Emergency preparedness is very important for the youth of Nevada County for several reasons. One of those reasons is that it is always good to know what to do if something happens. I know that many people assume that nothing will happen to them, but that is not always the case. Preparation helps to make a very chaotic time somewhat efficient.
The Summer Safety Campaign emphasized how Nevada County youth can prepare for wildfires, stay safe during prolonged heat, practice safe camping, and more! To spread this message, I created the first Youth Emergency Preparedness Week. I posted information on Facebook, but also on Instagram, and I saw an increase in youth engagement. I think this was largely because the content I created was lighthearted and entertaining.
The aesthetic was youth-oriented, so I find it caught the attention of the youth better. I chose to post on Instagram because I know that not many people my age use Facebook. However, the number of youth using Instagram is much larger, so it is a much more reliable source to get information out to the youth.
As Nevada County teens, we all need to be prepared in case of an emergency. Even if it’s just packing an emergency bag. Packing the emergency bag for teens may seem difficult, but it’s actually quite simple! Start by packing your portable charger and charging cords. You’ll also want to pack your favorite snack and drink because I often forget to eat during stressful times, so having some with you will make things easier. Also, be sure to pack a change of clothes, glasses/contact lenses, and some cash doesn’t hurt. Packing things like this makes a huge difference when you’re in a rush and trying to get out in an emergency.
To better support youth in emergency preparedness, we have added a section to the Ready Nevada County website. This section is created specifically for youth. It provides easy and quick access to information that will keep them safe and prepared. As a community, you can all help make youth better prepared. This can be done simply by educating youth that they are just as involved in emergency preparedness as everyone else!
Visit ReadyNevadaCounty.org/YouthPreparedness to learn more!
Thank you very much,
Zuleyka Deniz
