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RSSCDPH Helps 'Prepare Chicago' Residents for Emergencies
CHICAGO - Today, the Chicago Department of Public Health launched “Prepare Chicago,” its latest public education campaign to help Chicagoans prepare for large-scale public health emergencies and natural disasters.
“Prepare Chicago” educates residents on how they can prepare their families, how to work together as a community and how they can volunteer during public health emergencies such as extreme weather conditions, deliberate releases of hazardous materials and epidemics of influenza and other communicable diseases.
“A public health emergency can occur at a moment’s notice,” said CDPH Commissioner Bechara Choucair, M.D. “Making sure that all Chicagoans have the knowledge and resources they need to protect themselves is imperative to our mission of ensuring the health and safety of all Chicago residents.”
As part of the campaign, emergency preparedness messages will be displayed across Chicagoland via the CTA, Pace and Metra transit systems, billboards, TV commercials and radio ads.
“The best response to any emergency is a local response,” said Dr. Suzet McKinney, CDPH Deputy Commissioner of Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Response. “If we prepare as a community, we can ensure an immediate and coordinated response to any large-scale emergency that occurs in our city.”
The campaign’s preparedness messages were first heard on WGN Radio as “Prepare Chicago” was a radio sponsor for the Chicago Blackhawks’ playoff run to win the Stanley Cup.
Baseball fans will also get the opportunity to learn how they can best prepare for emergencies during the Chicago White Sox's 10-game home stretch, July 19-28, at U.S. Cellular Field. “Prepare Chicago” messages of family and community preparedness will be shared throughout the games. CDPH staff members will be on site providing education materials and answering fans’ questions.
“It’s no secret that Chicago is a sports town,” said Dr. McKinney. “We want to meet Chicagoans where they are to provide them with the information and resources they need to stay safe and healthy during an emergency.”
CDPH also will be on site at the Chicago Bears' Family Fest on August 3 at Soldier Field to help families create emergency family plans and emergency readiness kits.
“Prepare Chicago” messages include:
Prepare Your Family (Develop a family emergency plan and build a readiness kit.)
Make a Plan
Establish a family emergency plan that details how you will contact one another in an emergency. Outline how you will get to a safe place and how you will get back together if separated.
Build a Kit
A family readiness kit includes essential items that can keep your family safe and healthy in an emergency until additional help arrives. It includes items such as non-perishable food, water, copies of medical prescriptions and immunization records. Make a kit for yourself, your family and your pets. A complete list of items to consider for your kit can be found here.
Prepare Together
It always is important to check on your neighbors and prepare as a community for emergencies. Remember to lend a hand and assist residents who are more sensitive to weather conditions, especially senior citizens and those who are chronically ill. This summer, prepare together by:
Helping a neighbor contact a family member for assistance.
Calling 3-1-1 for a well-being check for a neighbor.
Prepare to Help
The Chicago Medical Reserve Corps (CMRC) has over 400 medical and non-medical professionals who assist in public health emergencies and local disasters. Chicagoans can sign up to volunteer with CMRC online or via email at ChicagoMRC@cityofchicago.org.
"Prepare Chicago" is an initiative of Healthy Chicago, CDPH's strategic public health plan to make Chicago the healthiest city in the nation. Healthy Chicago outlines 12 health priorities CDPH approaches in partnership with community organizations to improve the health and well-being of Chicagoans.
CDPH began building a permanent emergency preparedness and response capability in 1998. CDPH's Bureau of Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Response works closely with other City agencies, including the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, the Chicago Fire Department and hospitals across the city.
For more information, visit www.cityofchicago.or/HEALTH.
