The DC bed bug summit scheduled for March 27 is an ambitious undertaking, the product of a collaboration between the DC Department of Health and the Norwood Tenants Association.

This is the solution. It’s the only solution that is available to our cities: coordinated action.

All the cities that have developed bed bug policies had, along the way, a bed bug conference or town hall or public meeting—and the leadership of their public health departments.

The announcement for the DC bed bug summit is itself a lesson about what is necessary:

The DC Department of Health is organizing a summit titled “Stop Bedbugs DC” on March 27th at 10:00 AM in the 441 4th Street NW Room 1107. During the summit they will provide details about the campaign to end bedbugs in our city. Additionally, we will share new information and ideas on collaborative approaches to dealing with the pests with multi-agency involvement. At the summit we will aim to leave participants with new opportunities for action, and to start the dialogue on creative and effective approaches to dealing with bedbugs.

Jessica and I had the privilege to chat earlier this week with Silvia Inéz Salazar and David Fabian, co-presidents of the Norwood Tenants Association and the driving forces behind this campaign. We talked shop. It was great and, for me, humbling.

The summit is already “at capacity” and interest is high from all the essential stakeholders. The speakers are fabulous (we’re not sure if they are locked and confirmed or you know we would totally spill the details); the ambition of the afternoon session, absolutely inspiring. I feel overwhelming admiration for the Norwood tenants and congratulations are certainly in order for the people who live and work in the District for they are about to get an amazing campaign to end bedbugs in their city—did you see that? How about multi-agency involvement?

You must go, really—and if you have knowledge and expertise to share, please consider making yourself useful to these wonderful people.

The RSVP information:

Please RSVP to Gerard Brown Program Manager, Bureau of Community Hygiene at [gerard.brown AT dc.gov] or (202) 535-2636 by March 20, 2009

Mr. Brown, as you may remember from the Washington City Paper story, is the city’s rodent control man. A compassionate man who is now working on bed bugs.