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. As we prepare to protect everyone we love in advance of possible disasters, OEMC is introducing the Safe Chicago public safety program, installing life-saving kits in City of Chicago properties to be there when needed for active shooter incidents, workplace accidents and other emergency situations requiring immediate medical attention before first responders arrive.

“OEMC takes steps every day to plan and keep Chicago residents and visitors safe. During National Preparedness Month we are introducing Safe Chicago to provide Bleeding Control Kits to be utilized in an emergency to help save lives throughout the City,” said Rich Guidice, Executive Director (OEMC). “We also want to encourage everyone to recognize that disasters and emergencies can happen at any time and being prepared can be the difference between life and death.”

Safe Chicago

Safe Chicago is a new public safety program launched by OEMC in partnership with the Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Police Department and Assets and Information Services (AIS). This new program will provide Bleeding Control Kits at occupied, City-owned or leased facilities. OEMC and AIS have already begun installing 426 wall mounted Bleeding Control Kits in 269 City of Chicago buildings, which includes: City Hall, Chicago Public Library locations, Chicago Cultural Center, DFSS Senior Centers, CDPH Medical Clinics and other locations. Each kit can treat up to 8 victims and is equipped with a tourniquet, gauze, shears, gloves and an instruction manual to be used in an emergency before first responders arrive.  Life threatening bleeding emergencies can be the result of falls, penetrating injuries, gunshot wounds and more. Knowing how to control bleeding from a serious injury will keep you and those around you safe.

Prepare to Protect

The 2021 National Preparedness Month theme is "Prepare to Protect: Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.” Each week OEMC will offer an activity all residents can perform on their own or with family and friends. This also includes the National See Something, Say Something Day on September 25.  Emergency preparedness information, tips and helpful links are available on OEMC’s website at Chicago.gov/OEMC

• September 1-4: 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.
• September 5-11: 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. 
• September 12-18: Prepare for Disasters: 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.
• September 19-25: Teach Youth About Preparedness: Take the time now and talk with your children to reassure them, especially in this pandemic time. Teach them lessons on preparedness. Make family preparedness a fun annual event. 
• September 1-30: Sign-up for Smart911. Create a profile for you and your family which will give 9-1-1 information to help in an emergency – www.Smart911.com
• September 25: National See Something, Say Something Day

Throughout the month OEMC will present tips and educational videos on social media to ensure residents are prepared for emergencies such as a flood, blizzard, extreme heat or cold, fire, terrorist attack and a pandemic. OEMC will also be encouraging all to sign up for the Smart911 services to better assist residents in an emergency should they ever have to call 9-1-1. A Smart911 profile immediately provides the call taker with details that can be used to facilitate a quick response and added information emergency personnel should know when responding to save time to save lives. To create a Smart911 profile, download the Smart911 mobile app or visit Smart911.com

For complete details on emergency preparedness information and tips are available on OEMC’s website  Chicago.gov/OEMC or the FEMA website at Ready.gov/September. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook , Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC) and Instagram (chicago_oemc_911) using the hashtags #BeReady, #Smart911, #ChicagoOEMC #SafeChicago

Office of Emergency Management and Communications

The Office of Emergency Management and Communications provides residents of Chicago with prompt and reliable 911 service for police, fire and emergency medical services and coordinates major emergency response. The mission of the Office of Emergency Management and Communications is to manage incidents, coordinate events, operate communications systems, and provide technology, among other forms of support, to City services to strengthen their respective missions and to protect lives and property in the City of Chicago. For more than 25 years, the OEMC has served the residents of the City of Chicago. The OEMC is committed to closely partnering with local, regional, state, and federal partners to achieve seamless integration and complementary missions.

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