Metro stages a show of force at Union Station on Feb. 2 as part of a series of emergency response drills. (Gerald Martineau/The
Washington Post)

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/getthere/2010/03/metro_to_stage_an...

Metro will stage simulated explosions on a train and bus this weekend as the transit system continues a series of emergency exercises that test its coordination with other regional agencies.

Metro most recently began conducting drills last month, even staging a display of force at Union Station during a morning rush hour.

The first drill this weekend will take place at 1 a.m. Sunday when the agency simulates an explosure explosion on a rail car in the tunnel between Foggy Bottom and Rosslyn stations. According to a press release, "emergency personnel will be responding to the incident to find a scene representative of hundreds of injured passengers and multiple
fatalities."

Metro said the system will remain open during the exercise. After 11 p.m., Blue Line trains will share one track between Foggy Bottom and Arlington, and Orange Line trains will share one track between Foggy
Bottom and Court House. Riders using the Rosslyn Station should expect
to see "numerous police, fire and emergency response vehicles, first
responders and volunteer 'victims,'" Metro said.

A second drill will take place at 10 a.m. March 29 in the parking lot at RFK Stadium. The exercise will simulate an explosion on a bus, "discovery of a second explosive on a bus in a garage," and reports of
other explosives on other buses. Metro said activity will take place
between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Participating agencies include: police, fire and emergency medical services departments from Arlington County, Alexandria, the District, Fairfax County, Prince George's County, Montgomery County, the Federal
Bureau of Investigation and the American Red Cross.

The exercises are being paid for through a $1.2 million Homeland Security grant.