RECAP: DC Primary Care Association's Active Threat Preparedness Summit

Washington, D.C., July 2, 2024 – The DC Primary Care Association (DCPCA) successfully hosted the Active Threat Preparedness Summit on June 20, 2024, bringing together members from healthcare organizations across the District of Columbia. The summit focused on equipping healthcare professionals with essential skills and resources to assess, prepare for, respond to, and recover from various emergencies.

The summit featured a lineup of distinguished presenters who shared their expertise and insights:

  • Rooting Resilience: Ali Jost and Gretchen Gates

  • Jensen Hughes: Joseph Reppucci and Bobby Baker

  • Arcuri Group: Chris Lee

  • Rhode Island Medical Reserve Corps: Brooke Lawrence

Key highlights of the summit included:

  • Diverse Participation: Members from healthcare organizations including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), DC Health Medical Center (DC HMC), DCPCA, and other associations actively engaged in discussions and posed insightful questions to presenters.

  • Comprehensive Training: Participants gained invaluable knowledge on mental health considerations in trauma-informed training development, situational awareness, and personal defense strategies.

  • Emergency Operations Planning: Experts guided attendees on developing comprehensive emergency operations plans tailored to healthcare facilities.

  • Life-Saving Skills: Practical training sessions, such as 'Stop the Bleed,' equipped participants with crucial skills to administer immediate care during emergencies.

In addition to knowledge and skills, participants received essential resources to bolster preparedness efforts:

  • Trauma Kits: Distributed to each facility, containing critical materials designed to save lives in emergency situations.

  • Pocket Cards: 'Run, Hide, Fight' cards provided attendees with quick-reference tools for responding effectively to active threat scenarios.

  • Emergency Posters: Informative posters furnished with emergency preparedness guidelines and resources for display in staff rooms.

The DC Primary Care Association remains committed to fostering resilience and emergency readiness among primary healthcare providers, ensuring they are well-prepared to safeguard the community in times of crisis.