Somerville Emergency Management Introduces Preparedness and Resiliency Community Education Program

Ever wondered what to include in an emergency kit; how to help your children understand what to do in an emergency; or how you can prepare for extended power outages? These topics and more are subjects of a new training series offered by Somerville’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM). The Preparedness and Resiliency Through Neighborhood Engagement and Readiness (PARTNER) Program is open to all community members and is free to attend.

“Preparing for emergencies and disasters can seem like a big undertaking and might be worrisome to have to think about, but it’s important to be as ready as we can be for the unexpected,” said OEM Director Bill Fisher. “The PARTNER Program is designed to make it easy for residents, businesses, nonprofits, and vulnerable populations to build skills and confidence in their own emergency preparedness.”

The PARTNER Program will launch in February with two workshops and then continue over the coming months. The first PARTNER workshop, open to seniors, will take place on Wednesday, February 18, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Council on Aging (167 Holland St.), with a focus on the importance of emergency contact information cards and creating an emergency kit. A second February workshop, open to the general public, will be held on Thursday, February 19, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Somerville’s Central Library (79 Highland Ave.), and will focus on preparing yourself and your family for the unexpected.

Other planned topics throughout the year include family emergency plans, preparedness for older adults and homebound residents, extreme heat, cold weather, power outages, and more. Have a topic you’d like to learn about? You can email OEM@somervillema.gov with your suggestions. 

All workshops are one hour and free to attend. Registration is not required. Community members can attend just one, two, or several sessions throughout the year. Additional scheduled dates for 2026 (subject to change) include:

• Thursday, March 5, at Somerville Public Library’s West Branch
• Wednesday, May 27, at the Council on Aging (open to seniors)
• Thursday, June 25, at Somerville Public Library’s West Branch
• Thursday, July 23, at Somerville’s Central Library
• Wednesday, August 26, at the Council on Aging (open to seniors)
• Thursday, October 8, at Somerville’s Central Library
• Thursday, November 12, at Somerville Public Library's West Branch
• Wednesday, November 18, at the Council on Aging (open to seniors) 

To view session topics, times, and locations as they are confirmed, visit somervillema.gov/oem or somervillema.gov/events.

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 to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov. 

The 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 this event.