FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – Fort Bend County Extension and Fort Bend 4-H will host one of Texas’ first Youth Preparedness Initiative (MyPI) Teen Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trainings, offering local teens an opportunity to learn life-saving skills and gain hands-on experience in emergency preparedness.
The inaugural training, scheduled for July 14-18, 2025, will take place daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Fort Bend County Emergency Operations Center, located at 307 Fort Street in Richmond.
The program is open to youth ages 13 to 18 and is free of charge, with an optional fee for those seeking CPR and first aid certification cards.
Participants will receive instruction in emergency preparedness, CPR, first aid, and disaster response, working alongside emergency response professionals.
Organizers say the training aims to empower young people with essential skills and inspire future careers in health, safety, and emergency management.
“This is a hands-on program that not only builds confidence and leadership, but also gives teens the tools to help their families and communities during emergencies,” said Dr. Willa Williams, Fort Bend County Extension agent. “We’re excited to be among the first in Texas to offer this important training.”
Enrollment is limited to the first 10 students who register. Interested students can apply online.