Somerville Offering Free Emergency Preparedness Courses Throughout 2026

The program is the first of its kind for the Office of Emergency Management.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The city of Somerville, Massachusetts is launching a series of free emergency preparedness courses for residents that will run throughout 2026. The "Preparedness and Resiliency Through Neighborhood Engagement and Readiness" (PARTNER) program will hold its first two sessions on February 18 and 19, with additional courses scheduled between March and November.

Why it matters

Providing free emergency preparedness training to residents is an important initiative to help the community be better equipped to handle unexpected situations and disasters. Somerville’s Office of Emergency Management hopes the PARTNER program will build skills and confidence among residents, businesses, nonprofits, and vulnerable populations in the city.

The details

The first PARTNER course on February 18 will focus on emergency preparedness for seniors, covering topics like emergency contact cards and emergency kits. The second course on February 19 will address family preparation for unexpected events. Eight more courses are scheduled to take place between March and November, alternating between the Somerville Council on Aging and the Somerville Central Library. All events are free and open to the public with no registration required.

  • The PARTNER program launched in January 2026.
  • The first two courses will be held on Wednesday, February 18 and Thursday, February 19, 2026.
  • Eight more courses are scheduled to take place between Thursday, March 5 and Wednesday, November 18, 2026.

The players

Bill Fisher

The Director of the Somerville Office of Emergency Management.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Bill Fisher, Director, Somerville Office of Emergency Management (patch.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This program demonstrates Somerville’s commitment to empowering its residents to be prepared for emergencies and disasters, which is an important initiative for building community resilience.