Red Cross teaches Centennial fourth-graders emergency preparedness skills

More than 150 fourth-graders at Centennial Elementary School spent part of the day racing to build Go-Bags and practice emergency readiness skills, a lesson aimed at helping Albany County families close the gap between knowing disasters happen and knowing what to do next.

The American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming brought its youth preparedness program to the school to teach students in grades 3-5 how to handle emergencies and cope when routines are disrupted. The Red Cross says schools are important places to build those skills because disasters can be distressing for students and educators alike, and children are especially vulnerable when an emergency hits.

The lesson centered on practical steps families can use at home, including creating and practicing emergency plans in advance. Students also took part in Go-Bag races, giving them a fast, hands-on look at what belongs in a bag meant to travel with a family if they have to leave quickly during a storm, fire, or other emergency.

That message carries extra weight in Albany County, where families can face weather-related disruptions and wildfire risk across the year. A child who knows where to meet a parent, what to pack, and how to respond if power or communication fails can make a stressful situation more manageable for the entire household.

The Red Cross says it has served Wyoming since the first Rocky Mountain chapter was chartered in 1914. Today, the American Red Cross of Wyoming says it serves more than 540,000 people across more than 90,900 square miles, with the American Red Cross Mile High Area providing disaster leadership and support across Colorado and Wyoming as the regional chapter.

The Centennial visit fit into that broader push to start preparedness early, before a family is forced to make decisions in the middle of a crisis. For Albany County parents, the lesson was direct: a clear plan, a packed Go-Bag and a practiced response can turn a frightening emergency into a situation a child has already rehearsed.