Metro News Release

For immediate release: September 27, 2005

Metro trains hundreds of first responders to lessen traffic headaches

            Hundreds of police, fire and transportation officials are now better prepared to respond to emergencies in the Metrorail system.

<" xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> 

            Since May, more than 1,000 people from 41 regional and national law enforcement, fire and transportation agencies have attended the Managing Metro Emergencies course, hosted by Metro Transit Police. The day long training class covers mitigation, evacuation, transportation of evacuated rail riders and recovering from incidents, such as fires, crashes and acts of terrorism. The course focuses on better management of pedestrian and vehicle traffic after any evacuations of rail stations.

            Major service disruptions prompted the training course. The <" xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />London subway bombings highlighted the need for coordination and expertise among first responders during major transit disruptions.

            Agencies such as the FBI and police or fire departments from as far away as Baltimore and Frederick have participated in the class. Metro expects to train another 300 people when the federally funded courses end in November.

                                                            ###

News release issued on September 27, 2005.