Emergency Preparedness

Oak Park has long been prepared for emergencies that could create major disruptions for residents. Trucks and trains hauling potentially dangerous materials routinely pass through the community. In addition, these same transportation lines could experience major accidents that, while not involving hazardous materials, still would require the mobilization of large numbers of emergency medical personnel, evacuation of entire sections of the community and extensive traffic control initiatives. Even the potential problems created by a break in a municipal natural gas line has long been a part of Oak Park's emergency response training and has given emergency response personnel extensive experience in dealing effectively with potentially dangerous situations.

How Oak Park Responds

Oak Park's emergency preparedness plans include support from several departments within municipal government. The Fire Department, Police Department and Department of Public Health lead the effort.

The Fire Department typically is the first responder to an emergency, providing medical care and transport to the injured. The Police Department provides situation control, such as traffic and evacuation guidance if needed, and often is the lead investigative arm, especially if foul play is suspected. The role of the Department of Public Health depends greatly on the nature of the emergency, but might include situation evaluation, response guidance in matters of public health and orchestration of the community's medical resources, such as hospitals and medical staff.

Oak Park actually is part of a larger network of responders. The Village works closely with the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois and the federal government to orchestrate efforts and use resources in the most effective ways. Communications channels are open and networks well established to allow the Village to take advantage of the expertise, experience and resources of all of these responders, including the new federal Department of Homeland Security. Should an emergency situation occur, this network will be immediately activated.

Local Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

The Oak Park Department of Public Health manages the local Medical Reserve Corps Unit, which is one of more than 700 units operating nationwide supported through the Office of the Surgeon General. This unit is comprised of volunteers, medical and non-medical, who are prepared to assist and respond in the event of an emergency. Responsibilities of volunteers include logistical planning, records keeping, and assisting in public health awareness campaigns. To learn more about the MRC, call 358.5489 or email prepare@oak-park.us.

Click here to apply online for the Medical Reserve Corps

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers are trained and equipped to play a vital role in local disaster response and recovery activities. Prospective CERT volunteers must complete a three-day training course on first aid, basic firefighting, search and rescue, and other emergency response techniques. Multiple training opportunities are offered, some with continuing education credits. To learn more, or to apply for either unit, call 708.358.5489 or email prepare@oak-park.us.

Click here to apply online for the Community Emergency Response Team

Weather-Related Emergencies

Local warning siren… The West Suburban Consolidated Dispatch Center (WSCDC), the emergency 911 hub for Oak Park, River Forest, Elmwood Park and Park Ridge, sounds a warning siren when a tornado is sighted within a 10-mile radius. The sirens also are activated at 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday of every month as part of a regular statewide test. Information on severe weather is posted by the National Weather Service at www.spc.noaa.gov.
Cooling and warming centers ... See below for information about local cooling and warming centers.

Cooling and Warming Centers

Warming and cooling centers are available to residents in weather-related emergencies.

Cooling center information:

Oak Park Temple, 1235 N. Harlem Ave., serves as Oak Park's primary cooling center. The cooling center is activated when outdoor temperatures reach 95 degrees or greater, or when there is a heat index of 103 degrees or greater for four or more hours between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
All three branches of Oak Park Public Library serve as warming and cooling centers during regular business hours - click here for hours and locations.
Click here for a flyer with information about local cooling centers.
The Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security also provides an updated list of cooling centers for residents who do not have access to air conditioning - click here to view. For a list of cooling centers in Chicago, click here.

The Village of Oak Park maintains an alert system to notify residents when emergency situations occur.

The system requires residents to register, but allows citizens to choose how they wish to be notified - by text, email and/or voice message. Text message is preferred because it allows for more information to be disseminated. The system is intended for emergency notifications, not news or general information.

Anyone who would like to sign up, but lacks access to a computer can call 708.358.5489 to be added to the voice message alert list.

For more information, email prepare@oak-park.us or call 708.358.5480.

Emergency Special Needs Registry

Oak Parkers with special needs that should be considered in an emergency situation can register confidentially with the Village to ensure first responders are aware when dispatched via a 911 call.

Knowing that they are being dispatched to a home where someone may have a hearing or visual impairment, mobility limitation, cognitive impairment or uses an electrically powered medical device could prove vital to emergency medical personnel.

Residents or their caregivers can register online at www.oak-park.us/911registry.

A form also is available via email to prepare@oak-park.us.

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