Metro News Release

For immediate release: December 9, 2015

Full-scale emergency response drill planned at Forest Glen Sunday morning


Dual exercise will test response to suspicious package, smoke/fire incident in tunnel

Metro Transit Police and the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service will conduct a full-scale emergency response drill Sunday morning at Forest Glen Station.

The live exercise will allow emergency personnel to practice their response to two separate exercises: one involving a smoke/fire incident inside the tunnel outside Forest Glen and another involving a suspicious package on a bus. In addition, the exercise will simulate real-world conditions to test ventilation fan systems, and coordination and communication between emergency responders on scene, rail operations staff, Transit Police and support personnel.

More than 100 emergency responders and volunteers are expected to participate in the exercise, the third of its kind this year.

The exercise will begin at 7:00 a.m. and is expected to conclude no later than 2 p.m. Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management will also participate in the exercise.

Customer Information

  • During the exercise, Forest Glen Station will be closed to the public. Trains will pass through the station without stopping while the exercise is underway (approximately 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.). Sign up for MetroAlerts to be notified when the station reopens.
  • For riders traveling to or from Forest Glen Station, free bus shuttle service will operate between Forest Glen and Wheaton stations. Shuttles will pick up at Forest Glen (bus bay D) and Wheaton (bus bay K).
  • Metrobus service along Georgia Avenue will not be affected.  
  •  Riders at Forest Glen should follow directional signs and avoid crossing police lines or barricades.
  • Members of the public in and around Forest Glen may notice a large number of emergency vehicles on site. People in the surrounding area may also hear a loud noise due to the planned disruption of a suspicious package as part of the exercise.  Please be assured that this is only a drill.

MEDIA NOTE: Information for credentialed members of the media wishing to cover the exercise will be sent later this week.
 

News release issued at 3:53 pm, December 9, 2015.