On October 8, 2024, over fifty (50) representatives from local governments and regional partner

On August 27, 2024, approximately 100 partner agency representatives convened for the Regional Emergency Management DC Walkout Seminar. This event provided a forum for agencies to share their plans and procedures related to pedestrian evacuations from the District of Columbia into Northern Virginia during large emergencies.

On August 21, 2024, NVERS along with partners from the DC Department of Health and DC Health and Medical Coalition, Maryland Hospital Association Region 5, Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, and the Maryland Region 5 Emergency Preparedness Coalition, hosted a National Capital Region Pediatric Surge Tabletop Exercise. The exercise was held at in-person locations in Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland, with the venues also connected virtually.

On June 12 and June 14, 2024 NVERS facilitated the delivery of two (2) Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Highly Infectious Disease Tabletop Exercises (TTXs). The exercises brought together hospital, public health, emergency medical services, emergency management, and state and federal partners to work through a scenario involving ebola patients.

On April 16, 2024 NVERS conducted the region’s first Medical Response and Surge Exercise (MRSE). This full-scale exercise simulated near-simultaneous acts of mass violence occurring in two (2) areas of the healthcare coalition region, resulting in a catastrophic patient surge at the region’s hospitals. Over 1,000 simulated patients were distributed to twenty-five (25) hospitals in the region across three (3) waves, prompting hospitals to conduct a thorough review of surge capabilities and an examination of the resources needed to support a large-scale patient surge.

On October 17, 2023 and October 27, 2023 NVERS hosted offerings of the Regional Chemical Emergency Surge Tabletop Exercise (TTX). The exercises, held in the City of Charlottesville and Fairfax County, brought together participants representing hospitals, public health, emergency medical services (EMS), hazardous materials (HAZMAT), and law enforcement. Over sixty (60) players worked through a chlorine gas release and mass casualty scenario that drove examination of regional hospital surge, public messaging, patient distribution, resource requests, and decontamination capabilities.

On October 4, 2023 NVERS hosted the region's sixth annual dialysis exercises. The event, attended by over forty (40) representatives of the region's dialysis providers and their local government partners, expanded play to the functional level for the first time. Participants spent the first half of the exercise in a tabletop format, examining preparedness actions in the hours prior to a winter storm impacting the region.

On September 19, 2023 NVERS provided the pilot offering of a regionally developed hospital decontamination course. The four (4)-hour class was held at Reston Hospital Center and featured instructors from NVERS staff, Reston Hospital Center, and the Inova Health System. Adapted from nationally-recognized hospital decontamination training and standards, the class included classroom instruction on personal protective equipment, patient decontamination procedures, and establishment of an emergency treatment area outside of the hospital.

September marks the beginning of National Preparedness Month, an annual campaign that underscores the importance of readiness and safety in the face of emergencies. This year’s theme of “Take Control in 1, 2, 3” is focused on empowering everyone, especially older adults to 1) assess their needs, 2) make a plan and 3) engage their support network to stay safe when disaster strikes.