The Department of Health has a Special Events Division housed within the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Administration (HEPRA). The Special Events Unit is responsible for the oversight of the health and medical planning of events in the District. They also are involved in the planning of medical responses for special events in the District when requested. Such events in the past include planning the Medical Aid Stations during the Presidential Inaugurations and the July 4 Celebrations.

The Special Operations Unit, a part of the Special Events Division, is the response arm of the Department of Health. They have several response vehicles including a Freightliner Command Unit that is utilized during major events. When a major health event occurs in the District, the Special Operations Unit is responsible for the activation of the Health Emergency Coordination Center (HECC), the Department of Health’s Command Center. They also provide a ‘boots on the ground’ response that reports back information to the HECC from the scene of the incident.

The Special Operations Unit works with the Strategic National Stockpile Division and the EMS Division at HEPRA. They also work closely with our sister agencies, District and Federal, including the District’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, the DC Fire & Emergency Medical Services Department, the Metropolitan Police Department, US Department of Health and Human Services and others.

DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA)

Service Contact: Department of Health - Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Administration (HEPRA)
Contact Phone: (202) 671-4222
Contact Fax: (202) 671-0707
Contact TTY: 711

Office Hours:
Monday to Friday 8:15 am to 4:45 pm

Service Location:
GIS Address: 2201 Shannon Place SE
City: Washington
State: DC
Zip: 20020