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.

Lost and Found

San Diego 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 security office. Call 619-525-5490.

Hilton San Diego Bayfront: All lost-and-found items are in the hotel’s security office. Call the hotel’s front desk at 619-564-3333.

Onsite First Aid Locations and Hours

San Diego Convention Center Lobby – Box Office E

Hours:

Monday, Sept. 18
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 19
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 20
6 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 21
6 a.m. – 7:15 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 22
6:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 23
6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 24
6:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

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.
• Know your closest emergency exit at all times.

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 terrorism-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).

San Diego Convention Center

• For NON LIFE-THREATENING emergencies: Use a house phone (located throughout the convention center) to dial Security/Guest Services at ext. 5490 or call 619-525-5490 from an outside line or mobile phone.
• For LIFE-THREATENING emergencies: Dial ext. 5911 on a house phone or call 619-525-5911 from an outside line or mobile phone.

Hilton San Diego Bayfront (headquarters hotel)
General phone:   619-564-3333
Dial 911 from any phone to report an emergency then call hotel security at ext. 55 to alert them to the location of the emergency.

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 lower-most, innermost location and remember “DUCK:”

• Down to the lowest level.
• Under something sturdy.
• Cover your head.
• Keep in shelter until storm has passed.

Hospitals

Scripps Mercy Hospital (3.8 miles from Hilton San Diego Bayfront)
4077 5th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: 619-294-8111

UCSD Medical Center (6.8 miles from Hilton San Diego Bayfront)
200 West Arbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92103Phone: 619-543-6222

Area Pharmacies

CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles from Hilton San Diego Bayfront)
645 Market
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-234-5952

Ralph’s Market (0.9 miles from Hilton San Diego Bayfront)
101 G Street
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-595-1581

Local Police and Fire Departments

Emergency: 911

Poison Control Center

Phone: 800-222-1222

Scooter rental

To rent a scooter, call Scootaround at 888-441-7575 or visit ScootAround.com/en/San-Diego.

Your mobility device can be reserved and will be waiting for you at the convention center UPS Store – Business Center. Or, if you prefer, the scooter can be delivered to your hotel.

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