TL;DR: On September 9, 2026, Chicago’s OEMC joined FEMA to urge residents to use National Preparedness Month to make a plan, build a kit, and sign up for local alerts under the 2026 theme “Americans Stand Ready.”
Chicago Issues Citywide Call to Prepare in September
The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), encouraged residents to take part in National Preparedness Month throughout September, according to the City of Chicago :: Chicago Stands Ready for National Preparedness Month announcement dated September 9, 2026.
National Preparedness Month is observed each year to promote family and community disaster planning year-round. The city message stated that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep residents and their families safe.
The 2026 national theme is “Americans Stand Ready.” The University of Kansas Environment, Health and Safety summary of the campaign, titled KU EHS September Safety Tip: National Preparedness Month, describes the theme as reflecting unity, resilience and resourcefulness. That summary explains that the campaign has been led through FEMA’s Ready Campaign since 2004.
OEMC said readiness steps taken for family, neighborhood and community build greater resilience. The September push asks residents to learn local hazards, organize household communication, check supplies, review protection for homes and pets, connect to warning systems, and learn lifesaving skills before a crisis.
New Monthly Newsletter Launches
What the newsletter will cover
In conjunction with National Preparedness Month, OEMC announced a new monthly newsletter, according to the City of Chicago :: Chicago Stands Ready for National Preparedness Month page.
The newsletter is described as a message with relevant information about emergencies Chicagoans may experience. It will also share public safety updates and events happening in the city.
OEMC said it will also present tips on social media throughout the month to help residents prepare for emergencies.
For complete program details, OEMC directed residents to Chicago.gov/OEMC and to the FEMA site at Ready.gov/September. The office also lists its Facebook page, Twitter account at @ChicagoOEMC, Instagram account at chicago_oemc_911, video tips and podcast on YouTube at OEMC Chicago - YouTube, and hashtags #BeReady, #NPM2024, #SeeSay, #Smart911 and #ChicagoOEMC.
Make a Plan for Your Household
Communication, documents and lifesaving training
OEMC’s first preparedness action is to know the different types of emergencies that could happen and appropriate responses to stay safe, with severe weather and flooding listed as examples.
The city’s “Make a Plan” guidance covers how residents will communicate with family and friends during disasters, reviewing insurance papers, and other household preparations. The plan should also include learning to stop the bleed, CPR and other life-saving techniques in advance of a crisis.
Additional national guidance in the KU EHS September Safety Tip: National Preparedness Month article says a family plan should include emergency contact information, emergency meeting places and medical information. That guidance also advises people to consider unique risks where they live and the needs of their family.
The FEMA partner information reshared in the post titled FEMA Shares National Preparedness Month Partner Resources similarly calls on households to decide what to do, where to go and what will be needed for protection during a disaster. It describes those household actions as simple, low- or no-cost steps.
Home strength and insurance
Another city action is to prepare for disasters and emergencies by finding ways to limit disaster impacts. Examples given include having the right insurance coverage and work to make a home stronger and more resilient.
That emphasis on home protection aligns with the broader preparedness message that individuals who are prepared and self-reliant can support first responders, families and neighborhoods. The KU EHS September Safety Tip: National Preparedness Month summary lists three focus ideas for 2026: upholding patriotic duty by bolstering first responders on their worst day, protecting family and friends, and helping communities through proactive readiness.
Build a Home Kit and a Go Kit
Two places to keep supplies
OEMC’s “Build A Kit” guidance tells residents they will need items to survive during a disaster. That includes supplies needed at home as well as a go kit for evacuation to a safer location.
The city did not publish a full item list in the September 9 announcement. It framed the home supply as support for sheltering in place and the go kit as support for leaving quickly.
National material in the KU EHS September Safety Tip: National Preparedness Month article describes a kit as essential items a family needs to stay safe and comfortable if something happens. The FEMA partner summary in FEMA Shares National Preparedness Month Partner Resources likewise calls for a household plan that includes pets and notes the need to know evacuation routes.
Include pets in every plan
OEMC included a separate pet-preparedness reminder. It asked residents to remember pets in emergency plans to keep them safe, adding that pets are family too.
For families organizing supplies, that means accounting for animal needs in both the home stock and the evacuation bag. The national partner guidance also explicitly says household plans should include pets.
Get Alerts on Your Phone
Chicago OEMC App, Smart911 and NotifyChicago
OEMC asked residents to download the Chicago OEMC App and to sign up for Smart911. A Smart911 profile gives 9-1-1 information to help in an emergency. Residents can create a profile through the Smart911 mobile app or at Smart911.com.
The city also asked residents to sign up for alerts covering traffic impacts, severe weather and emergency alerts. Options listed include NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org.
Two text-based services were listed for targeted notices. For lakefront notices, residents text “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5. For alerts affecting businesses, residents text “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3.
National guidance in the KU EHS September Safety Tip: National Preparedness Month article adds that residents should know where to get information when it is most needed and recommends downloading the FEMA App for emergency safety alerts and resources. The FEMA partner post titled FEMA Shares National Preparedness Month Partner Resources notes that disasters can happen suddenly, so multiple ways to receive alerts are important, and it lists the free FEMA App, the Emergency Alert System and NOAA Weather Radio as alert sources.
Ironheart Brings Safety Tips to Young Readers
Marvel character headlines youth outreach
OEMC featured Chicago native and Marvel Superhero Ironheart in a youth-focused preparedness effort titled “Are You SUPER Prepared?” The character brings preparedness tips and safety information to all age groups, from young kids to adults, through themed messaging.
Preparedness tips in that series 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.
OEMC directed residents to Chicago.gov/oemc for Ironheart details. The character effort sits alongside the monthlong social-media tips and the new newsletter as part of the September outreach.
Safe Chicago Kits Expand Across Public Places
More than 2,500 bleeding-control kits installed
OEMC highlighted its Safe Chicago program as both information and tools for residents. Through the program, OEMC has installed more than 2,500 Safe Chicago Bleeding Control Kits across the city, according to the City of Chicago :: Chicago Stands Ready for National Preparedness Month announcement.
The announcement places the lifesaving kits in museums, Navy Pier, City Colleges, Chicago river tour boats, water taxis, along the Riverwalk, the Chicago Architecture Center, sports arenas, tourist destinations, multiple museum campuses, and City of Chicago owned and leased buildings, among other locations.
The initiative is intended to add to public safety for residents, city employees and visitors. OEMC said the program has made bleeding-control kits and training widely accessible throughout Chicago.
More than 5,000 city employees and partners have been trained on how to use the bleeding-control kits. Training is part of the city’s broader call to include stop-the-bleed, CPR and other life-saving techniques in household planning before a crisis.
CERT Fall Training Opens for Volunteers
27 classroom hours plus hands-on practice
OEMC invited residents to register for the Community Engagement Response Team (CERT) training program for Fall 2026. The city describes CERT as one of the best ways Chicagoans can learn disaster and emergency response skills to strengthen homes and communities.
CERT members train for a minimum of 27 hours in the classroom and 3 hours of hands-on practical skills before becoming registered volunteers.
Training areas listed are disaster preparedness, fire safety and utility controls, light search and rescue, team organization, disaster psychology, terrorism response and disaster medical operations. Residents can register through the Fall 2026 CERT Registration link listed by the city.
National guidance in the KU EHS September Safety Tip: National Preparedness Month article also encourages volunteering and training through FEMA’s Training and Education Program, the American Red Cross, or a local emergency management agency to build skills to protect family, friends and community. The FEMA partner summary in FEMA Shares National Preparedness Month Partner Resources describes the free partner toolkit with customizable messaging and safety tips for state, local, tribal and territorial, private-sector, faith-based and community partners.