AAOMS is committed to the safety and well-being of its conference attendees, exhibitors and guests. The information on this page is intended to provide general guidance on how best to prepare and respond to an emergency.
This page also will be used to relay information to AAOMS registrants and family members in the event of an emergency situation or natural disaster that severely affects AAOMS.
Lost and Found
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
A box containing lost-and-found items is located at the Attendee Registration Center. Attendees with items that are lost may fill out a Lost and Found Form containing a description of the item and contact information at the Attendee Registration Center.
At the end of the conference, items are turned into the Convention Center’s public safety division, which can be contacted by calling 202-249-4111.
Marriott Marquis Washington, DC (headquarters hotel):
Lost and found items are turned into the hotel’s security office. Contact the hotel’s front desk at 202-824-9677 to inquire about lost and found items.
Onsite First Aid
Walter E. Washington Convention Center:
First Aid location and hours:
Walter E. Washington Convention Center’s first aid rooms are located in Exhibit Hall D.
West D Lobby, Exhibit Hall Entrance
Orange County Convention Center’s first aid rooms are located across from room W224 and next to room W240.
Monday, Sept. 15
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 16
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 17
6 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 18
6 a.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 19
6:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20
6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 21
7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Marriott Marquis Washington, DC (headquarters hotel):
For emergency first aid response, please dial 911 immediately.
Tips for Staying Safe
- Always carry a portable cell phone battery charger or phone cord with you.
- Wear your name badge (or wristband when applicable) to all AAOMS events and inform an AAOMS staff member if you see anything suspicious.
- For personal safety reasons, do not wear your name badge when you are outside of the convention center away from conference functions.
- Always know your closest emergency exit.
Be familiar with surroundings
It is everyone’s responsibility to be familiar with their surroundings. When entering a meeting room, hotel room or public space, take account of what is around you:
- Locate the nearest bathroom, main exit and fire/emergency exit.
- Determine where the closest house phone is to your location.
- Examine the evacuation plan posted on the back of the hotel room doors and the instructions listed in the hotel directory.
- Count the doors between your room and the nearest fire exit and remember how many there are. This may be an enormous help in a smoke-filled hallway.
- Choose a consistent place to keep your hotel room key at all times.
Reporting an Emergency
“If You See Something, Say Something” is a national campaign that raises public awareness of indicators of terrorism and terror-related crime as well as the importance of reporting suspicious activity and other emergencies to state and local law enforcement.
Follow these instructions:
- Stay calm.
- Give your name, location and specifics of the emergency (e.g., fire, medical).
Walter E. Washington Convention Center:
For NON-LIFE-THREATENING emergencies: If you see an ill or injured person, one of the most important things you would do is request assistance in getting medical help. Medical personnel may be stationed at the First Aid Station located in your event area and will assist you immediately. If no personnel are stationed there, you can use any WEWCC white house phone or the free pay telephones located in the Center to dial the Public Safety Command Center at extension 3333.
For LIFE-THREATENING emergencies: DO NOT call 911. Pick up any WEWCC white house phone or the free pay telephones located in the Center and dial the Public Safety Command Center at extension 3333. If you are calling from a cellular phone, the number is 202-249-3333. Notify the Command Center of the location of the person requiring medical attention, along with a description of the person and their injury or condition. The Command Center will contact your contracted medical service provider. If further medical emergency assistance is required, the Command Center will call 911 and direct first responders to the specific location.
- Return to the individual.
- Reassure the individual to try and keep him/her as comfortable as possible.
Marriott Marquis Washington, DC (headquarters hotel):
In the event of a LIFE-THREATENING emergency: Dial 911. Contact the hotel safety and Security Office with any questions at 202-824-9667, 24/7.
All other hotels
Guests at other AAOMS host hotels should familiarize themselves with the hotel’s emergency procedures. Contact the front desk upon check-in regarding security and emergency information.
Responding During an Emergency Evacuation
If an evacuation order is issued or if it is necessary to evacuate due to an emergency, follow the instructions of public safety and security/emergency personnel and:
- Take only keys, wallets and essential belongings with you.
- Leave the building immediately.
- Do not investigate the source of the emergency.
- Walk – don’t run – to the nearest exit.
- Use stairs, not elevators.
- Assist people with special needs.
- Proceed directly to the designated gathering location.
- Wear weather-appropriate clothing if possible.
- Do not attempt to re-enter the facility until the “All Clear” is given.
- Once the “All Clear” is received, follow directions for re-entering the facility.
Fire or smoke
If you see smoke or flames:
Use CARE:
- Contain the fire by closing all doors as you leave.
- Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station. (Pull stations are located near all building exits.)
- Report the fire to public safety and security personnel.
- Evacuate or extinguish. (In most cases, it is best to evacuate.)
Use a fire extinguisher only if:
- You have been trained.
- You have your back to an unobstructed exit.
- You have a fully charged and proper type of unit for the fire you are fighting.
- The fire is contained, and you have reported the fire by fire alarm or called public safety.
- Everyone else has left the area.
- There is little smoke or flames.
Never fight a fire if:
- You lack a safe way to escape should your efforts fail.
- It has left its source of origin.
- You are unsure of the type of extinguisher you need or have.
Suspicious Packages
If you have any reason to believe that a letter or parcel is suspicious, DO NOT take a chance or worry about embarrassment. Follow this guidance:
- Notify public safety and security personnel.
- Do not touch the package or object.
- Do not tamper with the package or object.
- Do not attempt to move the package or object.
- Do not open the package or object.
- Do not put the package or object in water or an enclosed space, such as a drawer or box.
- Evacuate the immediate area.
Weather Safety
In case of inclement weather threats, stay calm. Remember, a “watch” indicates conditions are favorable for severe weather. A “warning” indicates severe weather has developed or is indicated on radar.
Tornados
In the event of a tornado warning, go to the lowermost, innermost location and remember DUCK:
- Down to the lowest level.
- Under something sturdy.
- Cover your head.
- Keep in shelter until storm has passed.
Hospitals
Howard University Hospital (1.1 miles from Marriott Marquis Washington, DC)
2041 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington DC 20060
202-865-6100
HUhealthcare.com
George Washington University Hospital (1.7 miles from Marriott Marquis Washington, DC)
900 23rd St. NW, Washington, DC 20037
202-715-4000
GWhospital.com
MedStar Washington Hospital Center (2.3 miles from Marriott Marquis Washington, DC)
110 Irving St. NW, Washington, DC 20010
202-877-7000
MedStarHealth.org
Minute Clinic at CVS (0.2 miles from Marriott Marquis Washington, DC)
675 K St. NW, Washington, DC 20001
866-389-2727
CVS.com
Area Pharmacies
CVS (0.2 miles from Marriott Marquis Washington, DC)
675 K St. NW, Washington, DC 20001
202-682-0170
CVS.com
Walgreens (0.4 miles from Marriott Marquis Washington, DC)
801 7th St. NW, Washington, DC 20001
202-789-5345
Walgreens.com
Local Police and Fire Departments
Emergency: 911
Metropolitan Police Department non-emergency number: 202-727-9099
DC Fire and EMS Department non-emergency number: 202-673-3320
Poison Control Center
Phone: 800-222-1222
Scooter Rental
To rent a scooter or mobility wheelchair, call E-MILE: The Electric Ride at 702-919-0032 or visit E-MileRider.co.
Anti-harassment Policy
AAOMS has zero tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment including, but not limited to, sexual harassment by participants or AAOMS staff at AAOMS meetings. If you experience harassment or hear of any incidents of unacceptable behavior, AAOMS asks you report it here, so appropriate action can be taken.
Report a concern
AAOMS reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the meeting without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, and AAOMS reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting.
Additional Resources
Other resources for guidance regarding storms, fire, cybersecurity, terrorism, active shooters and transportation include:
- FEMA: FEMA.gov
- Department of Homeland Security: DHS.gov
- Red Cross: RedCross.org
