The SBC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of SBC Communications, has awarded a $1 million grant to the California Fire Foundation for a public-private partnership to equip students with age-appropriate skills to prepare for and respond to emergencies and natural disasters.

The Team SAFE-T (School and Family Emergency Training) initiative is the first comprehensive school-based educational program in the country that addresses potential emergencies and seeks to create an effective template program that can be used nationwide. The initiative's focus on children builds on successful public outreach programs of the past, such as those to teach kids about dialing 911, in which students shared the lessons they learned in the classroom with their families at home.

"SBC has a long history of helping communities prepare for emergencies, and our employees have a legacy of responding to some of the most challenging natural disasters," said Lora Watts, president of external affairs for SBC West. "SBC is proud to be part of an innovative and meaningful program like Team SAFE-T, which will lead to peace of mind for countless families and teachers and strengthen the connections between California state schools, homes, and communities."