Metro News Release
For immediate release: August 31, 2007
Metro plans activities for National Preparedness Month
Do you know what do if there’s an emergency situation on a Metro train or bus? Metro wants to help riders prepare for emergencies with a series of informational events throughout September, which is National Preparedness Month.
AMetro is encouraging area residents to have an alternative way to get home or to work if you can not take the train or bus,” said Polly Hanson, Metro=s Assistant General Manager for Safety and Security
Metro will hand out safety and preparedness information at eight stations throughout September. Safety employees will provide customers with the necessary tools for alternate route planning, teach that alternate route planning is essential and work to establish realistic public expectations for mass transit during emergencies. The agency will partner with the Red Cross on September 27, for a symposium aimed at educating small and mid-size businesses on preparing and recovering from disaster. Metro safety employees also will speak about preparedness and safety at some federal agencies next month.
Metro Transit Police is hosting an emergency evacuation drill for trained Metro Citizen Corps members. The scenario will involve a smoke-filled train in a dark tunnel.
“We also are encouraging customers to familiarize themselves with how to evacuate a train or bus,” Hanson said
Evacuation information is posted in rail cars by the center doors and on the windows and emergency hatch in buses. Customers can review an online animation of evacuation procedures at: http://www.wmata.com/riding/safety/evac.swf.
Riders can view daily emergency preparedness tips on Metro’s Web site: www.metroopensdoors.com. They also may hear new safety announcements in the rail system.
Metro will provide customers with opportunities to learn more about transit safety, security and emergency planning at the following events:
Station Outreach Activities Throughout September
Metro has planned a series of eight emergency preparedness events to be held throughout the Metrorail system at various stations. The goal of these events is to have an open dialogue with Metro customers. Metro personnel from the Department of System Safety and Risk Management and the Metro Transit Police Department will speak to customers about safety issues, address concerns, and encourage them to partner with Metro in its ongoing mission to create a safe transit environment.
September 4 – King Street (7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.)
September 6 – Metro Center ( 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
September 11 – Gallery Place-Chinatown (7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.)
September 13 – Union Station (7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.)
September 18 – Shady Grove (4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
September 20 – Rosslyn (7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.)
September 25 – Branch Avenue (4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
September 27 – New Carrollton (7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.)
At these locations, Metro customers will also be able to pick up safety material including the Together We Prepare, Metrorail Safety and Metrobus Safety brochures.
September 8 - Metro Transit Police host Citizen Corps Emergency Evacuation Drill
On Saturday, September 8, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Carmen E. Turner Maintenance Facility in
Landover, Md., the Metro Transit Police Department is hosting an emergency evacuation drill for
trained Citizen Corps members. Residents from around the region have received Metro-specific emergency preparedness training through the Metro Citizen Corps program. The exercise scenario will involve a smoke-filled train in a dark tunnel.
Sept. 14 Golden Triangle Business Improvement District’s Emergency Preparedness Fair
On Friday, September 14, Metro, Golden Triangle Business Improvement District, D.C. Police, Fire and other government agencies will participate in a fair offering information about emergency text messages, evaluating business emergency plans, planning alternate transportation routes and emergency response training. The event will be held at Farragut Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sept 27. American Red Cross’ Partners in Preparedness Symposium
On Thursday, September 27, Government agencies and businesses meet for a symposium aimed at educating small and mid-size businesses on preparing and recovering from disaster. The event will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. at the National Press Club.
Outreach Activities at Businesses and Government Agencies
Metro officials from the Department of System Safety and Risk Management are available to speak and provide emergency and safety information to businesses and government agencies by calling 301-618-1158.
News release issued at 12:00 am, August 31, 2007.