City to Host Cold Weather Preparedness Workshops on November 17 and 18

Learn how to build an emergency kit, keep family and pets safe during cold weather, and more

Though it may not feel like it with the recent summer-like temperatures, winter is fast approaching. To learn how to stay safe and be ready for winter weather, community members are invited to join Somerville Emergency Management and the Somerville Fire Department for a free workshop on cold weather preparedness. 

Participants will learn about:  

  • building an emergency kit for the winter season, 
  • protecting yourself and loved ones during cold weather, 
  • signs of cold-related illnesses, 
  • winter pet safety, 
  • testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, 
  • home heating safety, 
  • power outages and loss of heat, 
  • how to be a good neighbor this winter, 
  • and more. 

Workshops will be held:  

  • Tuesday, November 17, from 5 to 6 p.m. at Central Library (79 Highland Ave.) 
    • Open to all. 
    • No RSVP required. 
  • Wednesday, November 18, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Council on Aging’s Holland Street Center (167 Holland St.) 
    • Open to older community members and seniors (age 60 and up). 
    • To RSVP, call 617-625-6600 ext. 2318 or email mpagliuca@somervillema.gov. 

Both workshops are one hour and free to attend. Informational handouts on cold weather safety and winter emergency preparedness will also be available for attendees to take home.  

These events are the final workshops in the 2026 Preparedness and Resiliency Through Neighborhood Engagement and Readiness (PARTNER) Program training series. For more information on the PARTNER program and other emergency management events, visit somervillema.gov/em. 

To view this update and more City news on the City website, visit somervillema.gov/news. 

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should contact the ADA Coordinator in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov. 

City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter in your language for free. To request an interpreter, please contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311) at least 7 days in advance of these events.