Referring to Cayman Kirkhart's work as community service just doesn't quite cover it.

The Hayden teenager is helping influence national emergency preparedness, after being appointed this summer to a new federal youth council.

Cayman Kirkhart, 15, was among a mere 13 teens from across the U.S. recently selected to join the FEMA Youth Preparedness Council.

The North Idaho Christian School freshman was picked above roughly 125 others who applied to sit on the council, which aims to engage American youth in emergency preparation.

"I'm very honored to be on it," said Kirkhart, who already gained local status by staging a mammoth disaster preparation day for his Eagle Scout project last year. "I'm really happy to show my skills and ideas."

Besides an ostensible upgrade for his resume, Cayman's appointment puts him in a rare position to improve the nation's fortification against its so many catastrophes.

The YPC website points to how 25 percent of the nation's population is youth, who can play important roles in disaster preparation.

The youth council members are charged with finding ways to get youth more involved.

"Since I did my Eagle Scout project, and it took a lot of time out of my life when I was 13, it made me realize how important (emergency education) was," said Cayman, who is with troop 291. "I know it's possible to actually reach out to people. Doing it at this level will make it known to more people."

He has no small responsibility. Cayman has been tapped to represent Region X, which includes Idaho, Alaska, Washington and Oregon.

Cayman already made a trip to Washington, D.C., in late August. There, he met with top FEMA administrators and the other council members from FEMA's 10 regions.

"We discussed different ways for FEMA to get disaster preparedness out to teenagers," Cayman said. "We're saying that if disaster preparedness gets out to teens, it will spread to families more."

He got along easily with the other council members, he added, who are now his Facebook friends. Each are tasked with conducting a year-long project, he said, and they will brainstorm over regular conference calls.

His father, Larry, who works for Kootenai County, lauded his son's achievement.

"He worked really hard for this. I think he's reaping the fruits of his labor," Larry said, pointing to Cayman's straight As and 11 years in scouts. "A lot of kids, they work on their homework and you say 'It'll pay off and be good for you.' He's still having to do homework, but he's getting to go to Washington, D.C. It's really the result of his hard work."

Cayman is a perfect fit for the council, said Doug Fredericks, resource and preparedness specialist with Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management.

The office worked with the teen on his Eagle Scout project.

"He came off as very enthusiastic and energetic about a commitment to help people to prepare for emergencies," Fredericks said.

Fredericks is still touting Cayman's Eagle Scout project, which attracted hundreds to learn about emergency safety. Cayman had spent 8 months enlisting several agencies to participate.

"It was phenomenal. The level of involvement for him personally, I know his parents made sure he did most of that on his own,," Fredericks said. "That's the most remarkable thing about it."

Cayman, who also enjoys mountain biking and hanging out with friends, will serve on the youth council for two years.

Teenagers who were selected had to demonstrate a dedication to public service.

He has been featured in the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security newsletter over his appointment.

Cayman already threw out an idea at the D.C. trip about creating neighborhood sharing plans, where individuals would be assigned specific resources to provide everyone.

More ideas will be on the way, he said.

"I'm just hoping to have families and teens be prepared if a disaster hits," Cayman said. "For them to be ready and know what to do."