Metro News Release

For immediate release: March 28, 2010

Emergency response exercise begins at Rosslyn Metrorail station

Late-night drill will test regional response

Metro’s emergency response exercise at the Rosslyn Metrorail station began at 1 a.m. Sunday, March 28.

The exercise involves a simulated explosion on a Metrorail train in the tunnel between the Rosslyn and Foggy Bottom Metrorail stations. In the scenario, first responders find a scene representative of hundreds of injured passengers and multiple fatalities. The exercise is designed to test the multi-jurisdictional coordination and response needed to mitigate a major incident in the Metro system.

Metro operations, emergency management and police personnel will respond along with police, fire and emergency medical services personnel from Arlington County, the District of Columbia, City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The exercise is taking place after midnight when ridership is lighter and fewer passengers will be impacted by the emergency response activity. The Rosslyn Metrorail station remains open until its regular closing time shortly after 3 a.m. Trains will continue to share a single track between the Foggy Bottom-GWU and Arlington Cemetery Metrorail stations on the Blue Line, and the Foggy Bottom-GWU and Court House Metrorail stations on the Orange Line. Passengers using the Rosslyn Metrorail station and residents in the area should expect to see numerous police, fire and emergency response vehicles, first responders and volunteer “victims” near the station until 5 a.m. There is no emergency. It is just a drill.

News release issued at 1:08 am, March 28, 2010.