Chicago Stands Ready for National Preparedness Month

Chicago Stands Ready for National Preparedness Month 


During the Month of September, OEMC wants to remind residents that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them and their families safe – Americans Stand Ready 


The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is encouraging residents to participate in National Preparedness Month throughout the month of September. National Preparedness Month (NPM) is observed each year to promote family and community disaster planning year-round.


Sign up for the NEW OEMC Newsletter

In conjunction with National Preparedness Month, OEMC is excited to announce our monthly newsletter! This newsletter will serve as a message with relevant information about how Chicagoans can prepare for emergencies they may experience, as well as stay informed on public safety updates and events happening in the city.


OEMC strongly encourages residents to sign up for this newsletter by clicking here and signing up.


2026 Theme: Americans Stand Ready

Being ready for emergencies by taking steps to prepare in order to keep your family, neighborhood, and community more resilient is vital to keeping each other safe. We are asking residents to take actions to prepare for any disaster or emergency they may face:

•             Know the different types of emergencies that could happen and appropriate responses to stay safe – severe weather, flooding, etc.

•             Make a Plan: Know how to prepare for disasters that include how you will communicate with family and friends during disasters, reviewing insurance papers, and much more. Include learning to stop the bleed, CPR and other life-saving techniques in your plan in advance of a crisis.

•             Build A Kit: You’ll need items to survive during a disaster that includes supplies you may need at home as well as a go kit of items you may need if you must evacuate quickly to a safer location.

•             Prepare for Disasters and Emergencies: Find out the best way to limit the impacts a disaster may have, like having the right insurance coverage or what can you do to your home to make it stronger and more resilient.

•             Pet Preparedness: Remember your pets in emergency plans to keep them safe, they’re family too.

•             Safe Chicago: Learn more about the OEMC program and the more than 2,500 Safe Chicago bleeding control kits installed across the city (details below).

•             Download the Chicago OEMC App

•             Sign-up for Smart911. Create a profile for you and your family which will give 9-1-1 information to help in an emergency. To create a Smart911 profile, download the Smart911 mobile app or visit Smart911.com

•             Sign up for one of the alerts offered by the City of Chicago to stay informed on traffic impacts, severe weather and emergency alerts.

o             NotifyChicago alerts, visit NotifyChicago.org

o             CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5

o             CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3


Throughout the month OEMC will present tips on social media to ensure residents are prepared for emergencies.


Are You SUPER Prepared?

Chicago native and Marvel Superhero Ironheart is bringing preparedness tips and safety information to all age groups, from young kids to adults with themed messaging featuring the fan-favorite character. Preparedness tips include reporting suspicious activity, severe weather and tornados,  excessive heat,  water safety, fire safety, downloading the Chicago OEMC app, pet safety, building an emergency kit and more. For complete details visit Chicago.gov/oemc (Ironheart).


Safe Chicago

OEMC is committed providing not only preparedness information but the tools to keep residents safe. Through its Safe Chicago program, OEMC has installed over a 2,500 Safe Chicago Bleeding Control Kits across the city adding to the public safety of residents, city employees and visitors. The lifesaving kits are in museums, Navy Pier, City Colleges, on Chicago river tour boats, water taxis, along the Riverwalk, the Chicago Architecture Center, sports arenas, tourist destinations, multiple museum campuses, City of Chicago owned and leased buildings, among other locations throughout the city. OEMC’s Safe Chicago initiative has helped make bleeding control kits and training widely accessible throughout the City of Chicago, today more than 5,000 city employees and partners have been trained on how to utilize the bleeding control kits.


CERT Chicago

OEMC invites residents to register for the Community Engagement Response Team (CERT) training program for Fall 2026. CERT is one of the best ways Chicagoans can learn disaster and emergency response skills to strengthen their homes and communities.


CERT members train for a minimum 27 hours of classroom and 3 hours hands-on practical skills in the following areas before becoming a registered volunteer:


•             Disaster preparedness

•             Fire safety & utility controls

•             Light search and rescue

•             Team organization

•             Disaster psychology

•             Terrorism response

•             Disaster medical operations


Residents can register at this link or by scanning the QR code: Fall 2026 CERT Registration

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