By Debra Havins, American Red Cross

At Franklin Middle School in Greeley, disaster preparedness looked a lot like fun. Students raced through an obstacle course while being sprayed with water to simulate rain, toured a mock Red Cross shelter and collected supplies to begin building their own emergency "go kits."

The school’s first Disaster Day brought preparedness lessons to more than 300 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students through a full day of interactive stations staffed by the Red Cross and community partners. Greeley’s fire and police departments, UCHealth and Greeley’s Office of Emergency Management joined Red Cross volunteers to help students explore what happens before, during and after a disaster.

One of the biggest hits was a flood simulation led by the Greeley Police Department. Students navigated a relay-style obstacle course as officers sprayed them with water, turning a lesson about flood conditions into an experience they won’t soon forget. The Greeley Fire Department taught students how they rescue people trapped in floodwaters, then gave students an opportunity to try throwing a rescue rope at a target.

The learning continued in the classroom, where Franklin Middle School teachers connected Disaster Day to lessons about climate and disasters. Students in a communications class even staged an emergency broadcast for Franklin Middle School's morning announcements and served as a news team reporting on the mock event.

"Kids aren't going to sit in a room and listen to a preparedness presentation, so this was an opportunity to walk them through a disaster from start to finish and make learning interactive and hands-on," said Benton Roesler, Red Cross of Northern Colorado community disaster program manager.

At each station, students received a preparedness item for a Red Cross tote bag. By the end of the day, their starter "go kits" included useful supplies such as hand sanitizer, emergency blankets and bandage holders — items that could also spark preparedness conversations at home. Students visited a mock shelter, learned about resources the Red Cross offers like disaster health and mental health services, and then experienced an emergency response vehicle distributing water and snacks.

The carefully timed day was the result of months of planning. Groups of students rotated from station to station at timed intervals.

"It was a symphony — an orchestra," said Paul DeSena, a Red Cross volunteer who helped design the event. "Kids learn by doing; everyone had to stay flexible and on their toes to keep the students engaged."

For Melissa Venable, executive director of the Red Cross of Northern Colorado, the day showed what is possible when a community works together.

"I'm so proud of this team and the work they did to make the event a huge success," Venable said. "Everyone in the emergency world came together to serve an underserved community."

Beyond the Red Cross, many partners in Greeley also felt that Disaster Day took important lessons that normally would have been a static presentation and engaged students directly.

"We're grateful to the Red Cross for bringing its expertise and volunteers to Disaster Day," said Sgt. Kevin Clarey with the Greeley Police Department. "Our partnership with the Red Cross, Franklin Middle School and fellow community partners helped make the event a success."

"The flood simulation gave students a chance to learn by doing — moving through an obstacle course with simulated rain rather than simply a presentation," Clarey added. "It was a creative way to engage students in preparedness and show how our organizations work together when disaster strikes."

Disaster Day also helped open doors beyond the school, contributing to a neighborhood Home Fire Campaign and a family-focused ReadyFest hosted later that summer at Franklin Middle School. Organizers hope to bring the hands-on model to more schools and make Disaster Day an annual tradition.

"These events were so well received," Venable said. "Franklin Middle School wants Disaster Day to occur annually and other area schools have asked us to hold similar events. Through playful, practical learning, the Red Cross and its partners are helping students and their families feel more prepared, connected and resilient."

Preparing for a disaster is most successful when community partners — first responders, volunteers and donors – work together. You can help improve preparedness and bring comfort and hope to more communities. To volunteer in your community, visit www.redcross.org/volunteer. To help the Red Cross carry out its mission or to learn more about donating to the Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org/donate.