STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Routt County 4-H, along with Routt County Emergency Management, is offering a two-time national award-winning youth preparedness, leadership and educational outreach program known as MyPI — My Preparedness Initiative — for teenagers in Routt County.

MyPI is an engaged and recognized component of a nationally supported, progressive approach to preparing youth for emergencies and disasters. The program offers an engaging three-part program.

In the first components, teens will complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency-certified CERT training, which includes disaster preparedness, fire safety and utility control, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology and terrorism.

In the second component, students will earn certifications in animal evacuation, barn fire safety, infectious livestock diseases, CPR and AED certification, along with a technology track comprised of awareness programs focusing on HAM radio, NOAA weather radio, smoke alarm maintenance and smart phone apps and social media in emergency preparedness.

The final element of the program includes a comprehensive family and community service project entitled “Prep + 6” in which each participant helps develop emergency supply kits and emergency communication plans for their household and six additional households. To graduate from the program, students must complete all components.

The Routt County MyPI program is being offered to youths ages 13 to 19. Trainings will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 2 to 4, followed by a two-hour evening training in January, February and March with an April graduation. Space is limited and the deadline to apply is Nov. 30.

To apply, visit MyPIcolorado.org, click on the “Student Link” and then click on “Apply.” For more information on the program, contact Tami Eggers, 4-H youth development agent for Routt County, at teggers@co.routt.co.us or 970-879-0825.