September is National Preparedness Month and OEMC Encourages All Residents to Plan and Be Prepared for Emergencies

September 15, 2023

This year’s theme for National Preparedness Month is “Take Control in 1, 2, 3”, which is intended to empower everyone, especially older adults

Chicago – September is designated at National Preparedness Month to raise awareness and promote action to prepare for natural and man-made disasters and the importance of planning before an emergency emerges so to be better informed to recover.  The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) continues to work daily for the public safety of the residents and provides ongoing support to residents for resiliency such as: 

  • Safe Chicago STOP THE BLEED kits installed in all city properties and some sports venues 
  • College Emergency Management education courses at local schools 
  • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes offered throughout the year 
  • Chicago OEMC App designed to include alerts, events, extreme weather and emergency planning and response tips 
  • Pole Marking Location Identifiers installed throughout the Lakefront and Grant Park to identify location in vast areas to report to 9-1-1 in emergencies 
  • See Something Say Something training for businesses and public safety partners  
“This year, Chicago has experienced a wide array of extreme weather events, including flash flooding, extreme heat, and even tornadic conditions.  It is paramount that the city’s residents know what to do in an emergency to survive and recover," said Acting Executive Director Jose Tirado.  "OEMC encourages everyone to take time this month to ensure they have the information and tools needed to prepare for emergency situations.” 
 

Chicago OEMC App – Know Before You Go  

For safety and preparedness at your fingertips, residents and festival goers are encouraged to download the Chicago OEMC App. The public safety tool provides safety information, preparedness tips, emergency alerts, weather information and more in the palm of your hand. Users will also have access to current forecasts, radar, and other weather-related information as well. The app is available through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit the website, Chicago.gov/OEMC. 

OEMC strives to ensure public safety by coordinating resources, public speaking engagements, exercises and drills, camera monitoring services and outreach efforts.  Educating communities on preparedness is a focus of National Preparedness Month and throughout the year.  OEMC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides many resources for residents, businesses, and communities to amplify preparedness messaging.   

 

This year’s theme for National Preparedness Month is “Take Control in 1, 2, 3”, which is intended to empower everyone, especially older adults, to 

  1. assess their needs,  
  2. make a plan and  
  3. engage their support network to stay safe when disaster strikes.  
The campaign focuses on preparing older adults for disasters, specifically older adults from communities that are disproportionally impacted by the all-hazard events, which continue to threaten the nation. Older adults can face greater risks when it comes to the multitude of extreme weather events and emergencies we now face, especially if they are living alone, are low-income, or have a disability. 

Emergency managers and all those who work with and support older adult communities to access the new webpage available in English and Spanish languages at Ready.gov/older-adults and Ready.gov/es/adultos-mayores. For more information on preparing with disabilities visit Ready.gov/disability or Ready.gov/es/discapacidad in Spanish.  

 

Also, during National Preparedness Month, OEMC will participate in If You See Something, Say Something® #SeeSayDay on Monday, September 25.  This #SeeSayDay, learn how to identify and report terrorism-related suspicious activity to 9-1-1. We encourage others to share your Pledge to Protect on personal or organization's social media channels using #SeeSayDay social media graphics and draft posts 9-1-1. Use the hashtag #SeeSayDay to note your involvement! 

OEMC also encourages 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 for a response with 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 #NPM2023, #TakeControl123, #BeReady, #Smart911, #ChicagoOEMC #SafeChicago 
 

OEMC issues alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on weather conditions and emergencies. 

  • Sign up for NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org 
  • CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5  
  • CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3  

News Release Facts

Department:

I Want To