HSEMA Conducts Community Preparedness Exercises and Training

(Washington, DC) The District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) will conduct community emergency preparedness training and exercises over the next several weeks for residents of several Northeast and Southeast neighborhoods. The exercises are intended to help residents learn how to prepare themselves and their families for natural or man-made emergencies and disasters and will provide an opportunity for residents, community leaders and emergency officials to discuss how they would work together in the event of an emergency.

The exercises are scheduled for 10 am, Saturday, February 7, at Marshall Heights Community Development Organization, Inc., 3939 Benning Road, NE, and 9:30 am, Friday, February 20, at THEARC Community Room, 1901 Mississippi Avenue, SE.

Residents of the following neighborhoods should plan to attend one of the sessions:

Anacostia, Barry Farm, Bellevue, Benning, Benning Heights, Benning Ridge, Buena Vista, Burrville, Capitol View, Central NE, Congress Heights, Deanwood, Douglas, Dupont Park, Eastland Gardens, Fairfax Village, Fairlawn, Fairmont Heights, Fort Dupont, Fort Stanton, Fort Davis, Fort Davis Park, Garfield Heights, Grant Park, Greenway, Hillcrest, Hillsdale, Kenilworth, Knox Hill, Lincoln Heights, Marshall Heights, Mayfair, Naylor Gardens, NE Boundary, Penn Branch, Randle Highlands, River Terrace, Sheridan, Shipley Terrace, Summit Park, Twining, Woodland and Washington Highlands.

To register to attend one of these sessions or for more information call (202) 338-7153, ext. 212.

Online registration also is available at http://www.dccommunitypreparedness.org/. Special sessions

Bus Registration Deadline Quickly Approaching

All those who plan to travel the District of Columbia during Inauguration Week via chartered buses, motor carriers, etc, must obtain a Trip Permit from the District Department of Motor Vehicle and must sign up for a parking pass at designated parking sites. Buses will not be allowed to park at any Metro stations in DC, Virginia or Maryland on Inauguration Day.

Buses arriving in the District for the Inauguration must obtain a trip permit and register for parking by January 15.

Motor carriers, chartered buses (including chartered shuttle buses), and other vehicles which fall under the definition of apportionable vehicles (see IRP section) but are not apportioned or fully registered in the District of Columbia, MUST obtain a trip permit for a $50 fee.

The Trip Permit* is valid for six (6) days of travel within the District of Columbia. It must be maintained on the vehicle throughout the duration of travel in the District of Columbia. The trip permit is only to be used for the vehicle listed on the front of the permit.


Visit, http://inauguration.dc.gov/bus.asp to learn more.

Inauguration Updates on Twitter

Inauguration updates now on Twitter, http://twitter.com/Inauguration_DC. Follow us to get the latest information during the Inaugural week.

Inaugural Transportation Plan

2009 Presidential Inaugural Law Enforcement and Public Safety Public Affairs Subcommittee Announces Joint Transportation Plan. View road closures, parking restrictions, etc. on Inauguration.dc.gov. You can also get information about driving into the District, getting around the city and helpful tips for the Inaugural on the “Getting There” page.

Inauguration Information

Happy New Years!!! As you are aware, the District is planning for this historic Presidential Inauguration that is less than two weeks away. We are updating our website, Inauguration.dc.gov, daily. I advise adding the website to your favorites and checking it on a regular basis. We currently have information on volunteering, charter bus permits, prohibited items, protective actions, official events, and past Inaugural photos.

I will also post a message when we add key information. If you have any questions, please feel free to add a comment.

DC Inauguration Website

The District's Inauguration website is inauguration.dc.gov. Information is being updated regularly so please continue to visit the website for the latest information.

Street Closures & Parking Restrictions For 2008 Pageant of Peace

(Washington, D.C.) The Metropolitan Police Department has provided the following information regarding street closures and parking restrictions for the 2008 Pageant of Peace on Thursday, December 4, 2008. The ceremony for the Lighting of the National Christmas Tree is scheduled to take place at 5 p.m. on the Ellipse near the White House. Please note the times and locations of the road closures have been amended.

Amended Road Closures:

-Beginning at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2008, and in effect until the completion of the ceremonies, there will be no traffic allowed northbound or southbound on 15th Street, NW, between E Street and Constitution Avenue.

-Beginning at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2008, and in effect until the completion of the ceremonies there will also be no traffic allowed northbound or southbound on 17th Street, NW, between Constitution Avenue and New York Avenue.

Parking Restrictions:

-From 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, there will be no parking allowed on 15th Street, NW, between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues.

-There will also be no parking allowed during that time on 17th Street, NW, between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues.


These street closings and related parking restrictions are subject to change without notice based upon prevailing conditions.

Traffic delays may occur during this event and motorists should consider alternative routes to avoid the area if possible. The Metropolitan Police Department and the Department of Transportation (DDOT) encourage motorists to expect increased pedestrian traffic around this event and to exercise caution.