September is National Preparedness Month and Chicago is Getting Super Prepared

September 5, 2024

OEMC wants to remind residents that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families and communities safe

CHICAGO: 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. For resources, click National Preparedness Month Toolkit

“We want to take this opportunity during National Preparedness Month to emphasize the importance of being ready for a wide array of disaster and emergency scenarios,” said Jose Tirado, Executive Director of OEMC. “As a core tenet of our mission, OEMC works every day toward better preparing Chicago’s residents for emergencies. Emergencies can happen at any time and it’s important for the public to know how to prepare themselves.”

2024 Theme: “Start a Conversation”

Talking about bad things that could happen during a disaster or emergency isn’t always easy. Having conversations with family and friends is an important first step in learning how to be ready and stay safe. Starting a conversation today can help you and your family to take more actions to prepare. By taking simple steps, you can build your preparedness at your own pace:

Set aside a time when everyone is calm and relaxed.
It may help to hold the discussions over a set time period, so decisions aren’t rushed, and people feel more comfortable talking about the topic.
Know the disasters and emergencies that can happen in Chicago, i.e. extreme weather that can cause flooding, property damage, and more.
Create a plan with family and friends, prepare an emergency kit, safeguard critical documents, sign up for alerts, consider specific needs in your household, among others.
Talk about steps you’ve taken to prepare and encourage others to ask questions about preparedness actions that might work for them.

Are You SUPER Prepared?

Throughout the month OEMC will present tips and educational videos on social media to ensure residents are prepared for emergencies. Earlier this year, OEMC teamed up with Marvel Comics to reinvigorate how OEMC Emergency Managers communicate with residents on public safety and emergency management topics. 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 and water safety with additional coming later this fall. For complete details visit Chicago.gov/oemc (Ironheart).

Throughout the month, OEMC encourages residents to get “Super Prepared” by learning more about how to be prepared and to stay safe.

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: 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.
Celebrate National See Something, Say Something Day on Wednesday, September 25 and learn about the 5Ws to reporting suspicious activity and other tips.
Pet Preparedness with OEMC and Chicago Animal Care and Control on Thursday, September 26. Learn how to prepare your pets and keep them safe.
Safe Chicago: Learn more about the OEMC program and the more than 1000 Safe Chicago bleeding control kits installed across the city (details below).
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 alerts offered by the City of Chicago to stay informed on traffic impacts, severe weather and emergency alerts.
NotifyChicago alerts, visit 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

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 1,000 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, City or 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 4,000 city employees and partners have been trained on how to utilize the bleeding control kits. Preparedness VIDEO: Safe Chicago Bleeding Control Kits on the Riverwalk.

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, #NPM2024 #SeeSay #Smart911, #ChicagoOEMC. You can also find video tips and our podcast on YouTube at OEMC Chicago - YouTube.