Emergency Preparedness

The publications and websites below offer practical how-to guides instructing Metro customers and area residents in emergency preparedness.

For information on Metro's own safety tips and emergency precautions and preparations, please see the Metrobus and Metrorail safety page and our safety and security FAQ.

Metrorail Alternate Route Planning Guide and Get Ready Now brochures (1.6 MB)
Metro has introduced these brochures in conjunction with National Preparedness Month.

Metrorail Emergency Evacuation Maps
Maps for each entrance to Metrorail stations that include bus service available from the station, walking distance to the next station, and a street map designating bus stop locations and bus routes. To view a map, go to the Metrorail stations page and click on a station name.

Your Guide to Metrorail Safety
Describes Metrorail safety features, emergency procedures and reporting suspicious packages or activity.

Severe weather plan and Guide to using Metro in a snowstorm
Describes what Metro service to expect during extreme weather.

Metro's "Dear Fellow Rider: Safety Update" brochure
Describes Metro security precautions and instructs customers on how to react in emergencies and how to assist Metro police in reporting suspicious activity or unattended packages.

Metro's Emergency Evacuation animation
Displays emergency evacuation procedures for Metro's trains, buses, and rail stations. (Requires Flash to view.)

Metro Emergency Guide PDF (4.65 MB)
A personal preparedness guide from express, a publication of The Washington Post.

"Together We Prepare" brochure
Transit-specific disaster education material from Metro, American Red Cross, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Department of Transportation/Federal Transit Administration.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.

Metro Citizen Corps
In conjunction with the Metro Transit Police, the Metro Citizen Corp provides CERT members a training program that teaches how to react to emergencies ranging from rail safety to identification of terrorist activity. The members are instructed how to help themselves and their fellow passengers while they wait for firefighters and police to arrive. To be eligible to be a member of the Metro Citizen Corps you must be an active CERT member, a regular Metro rider, a U.S. Citizen, and 18 years of age or older. See listings under the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia to find your nearest local CERT program.

Office of Personnel Management's Emergency Preparedness Guide
Offers detailed emergency preparedness guides for federal managers, employees, and for families both within and outside the Washington metropolitan area.

American Red Cross Community Disaster Education Materials
Offers a wide array of disaster education materials from the Red Cross, government agencies, and the media.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Includes information about the current national threat level and general emergency preparedness.

Ready.gov
This site, from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, offers detailed information on preparing for terrorist incidents. Included are brochures, checklists, public service announcements, and links to additional information.

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Homeland Security & Public Safety
Describes local governments' cooperation on homeland security and includes links to the Regional Emergency Coordination Plan developed for the National Capital Area.

District of Columbia Home Guide to Emergency Preparedness
Helps Washington, DC residents prepare their homes and families for most local emergency situations.

Maryland Emergency Management Agency
Lists the local Maryland emergency management offices for all counties in Maryland.

Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Offers information for Virginia residents to increase their knowledge and preparedness for terrorism.