PREPAREDNESS PALS

2025 Presentation

Our Preparedness PAL’s (Peer Assisted Leaders) program kicked off in 2025 with Somerset County 6th grade students at Holly Grove Christian School. The presentation was divided into two 45-minute sessions. Somerset County Emergency Services led the first session. The Emergency Services Planner spoke to students about the importance of being prepared for emergencies and how they can contribute by having a plan in place. She explained what items belong in a “Go Kit,” why it’s essential to have one, and when it might be necessary to leave home in an emergency situation.

Following that, a 911 Specialist educated the students on what to expect when calling 911. She outlined the specific questions dispatchers will ask and stressed the importance of staying on the line, even if the call was made by mistake, so the operator can confirm there is no actual emergency. The session also included a student participating in a simulated 911 call, giving everyone a clearer understanding of the process.

For the 2nd and final session, the Somerset County Sheriffs Department had their SRO speak to students about the importance of the “If You See Something, Say Something” initiative, emphasizing how reporting suspicious activity can help protect both yourself and others. He also advised students to travel in pairs when visiting public places like malls. To highlight the importance of seatbelt use, he shared a personal story: after stopping a woman for speeding and reminding her to wear her seatbelt, he was called to a car accident involving that same woman. Thanks to the seatbelt, she avoided serious injury — it likely saved her life.

The final speaker was an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), who explained the types of questions they typically ask when responding to a call and how individuals can assist before the ambulance arrives. He recommended turning on the front porch light, unlocking the door, securing any pets (to prevent them from running away or unintentionally harming responders), and gathering all of the sick person’s medications to provide to the EMT for documentation. He also mentioned that firefighters often accompany EMTs to assist with lifting patients or driving the ambulance while care is provided in the back. At the end of the session, the EMT answered numerous questions, and everyone received an Emergency “Go Kit.”

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