The Chicago Office of EmergencyManagement and Communications (OEMC) Urges Residents to Subscribe to Receive Emergency Notifications and to Obtain Community Resources via ChiTEXTMessages

CHICAGO – The City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is reminding residents and visitors to subscribe to Notify Chicago to receive winter weather alerts and other emergency messages, as well as utilize 3-1-1’s ChiTEXT Short Message Service (SMS) as an information resource in locating towed vehicles and other City of Chicago community resources.

“Advances in technology offer another viable resource to enhance OEMC’s ability to keep our Chicago residents prepared and informed. We are constantly looking for opportunities to streamline the process of communicating to the public the timely information they need to avoid possible emergency situations.” said OEMC Executive Gary W. Schenkel.

We encourage all Chicagoans and visitors to sign-up for Notify Chicago and to keep their yearly subscription renewed. Chicago residents can receive extreme weather alerts, traffic disruptions and health alerts via text message on cell phones and/or via voicemail to their home or office phone. The subscription can be completed in a matter of minutes by visiting www.notifychicago.org.

Residents are also reminded to use ChiTEXT as a communications resource to request information regarding community resources such as; location of government agency contact information, location search for Aldermanic ward offices, police beat and district information and vehicle services that include the location of a towed or relocated vehicle.

Simply text the word “Chicago” to “311311”. A response to your inquiry is transmitted directly to your phone via a text message from the City of Chicago. Get information on the go. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 day a year with ChiTEXT.

The Chicago Office of Emergency Management encourages everyone 18 years of age and older to subscribe to Notify Chicago. Emergencies can happen at any time. Early alert and being prepared BEFORE it happens can reduce the initial impact of an emergency event. We urge families to make emergency preparedness a family priority.

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The Chicago Office of Emergency Management was established in 1995 to coordinate the City’s delivery of Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services resources. OEMC operates Chicago’s public safety communications system, managing
emergency situations and coordinating major events, 311 and 911 Communications Operations. For more information visit our website at www.cityofchicago.org/oemc or “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coemc.