Beginning, Monday June, 15, the District is expanding free COVID-19 testing to include four firehouses each day, Monday through Saturday. The firehouse testing sites are walk-up and no appointment is needed.
Over the past two weeks, two firehouses have been open each evening, Monday through Friday, for free COVID-19 testing. So far, more than 2,300 people have been tested at a firehouse.
Testing is administered by DC Fire Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and paramedics who have received additional training on COVID-19 testing as well as DC Health personnel. Individuals should bring a valid, government-issued photo ID showing proof of residency in the District of Columbia.
If an individual does not have a valid District of Columbia government-issued ID, they can bring any government issued ID with a bill, such as a document from a utility, cell phone, lease or bank statement that includes their current name and address. First responders and medical professionals working in the District can present their identification or badge.
The District encourages residents to seek testing if they are experiencing symptoms, have attended recent demonstrations, or were exposed to a known case of COVID-19. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, congestion, body aches, chills and runny nose.
Wear a mask to wait in line and arrive early. Reports indicated long lines last week, when testing was first offered at firehouses.
The new firehouse testing schedule is below:
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Engine 4 (2531 Sherman Ave NW)
- Engine 11 (3420 14th St NW)
- Engine 24 (5101 Georgia Ave NW)
- Engine 31 (4930 Connecticut Ave NW)
Thursday and Friday, 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Engine 8 (1520 C St SE)
- Engine 10 (1342 Florida Ave NE)
- Engine 30 (50 49th St NE)
- Engine 33 (101 Atlantic St SE)
The firehouse testing sites are in addition to other free testing sites across DC, including the walk-up testing site at F Street, NW between 4th and 5th Streets, NW and the drive-thru and walk-up testing sites at 2241 Martin Luther King Jr Ave. SE in Ward 8 and at the UDC-CC Bertie Backus campus in Ward 5.
Residents are still encouraged to access testing through their health care providers so that they are connected to health care. However, anyone who needs a test can get a test at the testing locations listed above.
Find a full list of testing locations at coronavirus.dc.gov/testing. For more information on the District’s COVID-19 response, visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
