2026 Spring Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Spring Disaster Preparedness Training Begins April 2

City of Chicago :: CERT Informational Resources

The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications is looking for new Chicago CERT volunteers. Our 2026 Spring Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) free disaster preparedness training begins on April 2 through May 5 at OEMC. We encourage residents to for classes online. Deadline to register is March 31. Registration Link: Chicago CERT Class Spring 2026.

The CERT program offers Chicago residents an opportunity to learn basic hands-on disaster response techniques and life-saving skills to utilize in their own homes and neighborhoods. Volunteers will learn hands-on practical skills training in the following areas:

• Disaster preparedness
• Fire safety & utility controls
• Light search and rescue
• Team organization
• Disaster psychology
• Terrorism response
• Disaster medical operations

The Chicago CERT team is managed by the City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) with assistance from the Chicago Fire Department and Chicago Police Department. Upon completion, participants have the option to become Chicago Citizen Corps CERT volunteer and assist in emergency services in various deployments that includes large scale emergencies, disasters and special events.

Residents are encouraged to download the Chicago OEMC App for safety and preparedness tips, weather information and alerts, and more Download the app through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit, Chicago.gov/OEMC.

Suspicious Activity: If you See Something Say Something. OEMC reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities.

OEMC issues several alerts and notifications to keep people up to date on weather conditions and emergencies.

• Notify Chicago: Sign up for emergency alerts at NotifyChicago.org
• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices including flooding, TEXT "CHILAKE" to 7-8-0-1-5
• CHIBIZ: Business updates, TEXT "CHIBIZ" to 6-7-2-8-3

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook(@coemc), Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC), Instagram (chicago_oemc_911), Bluesky (@chicagooemc.bsky.social) and Threads (@chicago_oemc_911).