Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Full-scale Emergency Exercise planned for Rosslyn Metro Station
Region to unveil new automated cart to speed rescuers through tunnels
Updated Feb. 8, 2010, 9:10 p.m. -- Due to weather emergencies, the exercise and scheduled track work are cancelled. Read more.
- Rosslyn, Arlington National Cemetery stations closed Feb. 13-15
- First in nation to use new emergency response carts
- Plan ahead; shuttle buses available
ARLINGTON, Va.--On Saturday, Feb. 13, Arlington County will host full-scale emergency response exercise at the Rosslyn Metro station, working with regional partners including the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). As part of the exercise, Arlington firefighters will unveil a new Mobile Emergency Response Vehicle (MERV), designed to help first responders move more quickly through underground tunnels during emergencies. The exercise is scheduled to start at 9:00 A.M. and run until noon.
During the exercise, a number of public safety vehicles will be in the area and some streets in the immediate vicinity will be blocked off. County residents and commuters should be aware of planned Metro closures (Feb. 13-15) at two stations; Rosslyn and Arlington Cemetery, due to scheduled track work. WMATA will be providing free shuttle bus service during this time; please allow for extra travel time. For more information on closures, please see www.commuterpage.com or www.wmata.com.
Federal grant funding exercises
This is part of a three day series of exercises occurring on Feb. 12, 13 and 24, funded through a $1.2 million U.S. Department of Homeland Security Urban Area Security Initiative grant. The grant was obtained by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Fire Chiefs and is managed by the Arlington County Fire Department. The simulated emergency will involve 70-100 area firefighters and police officers and the participation of at least 50 volunteer victims. For more information on the three exercises go here.
New carts will cut response time
Firefighters and paramedics will have the opportunity to practice with the new MERV’s in an emergency scenario. These automated carts will significantly cut the amount of time it takes responders to travel through Metro tunnels. The simulation will also allow regional partners to practice coordinating their efforts during an emergency.
“[The exercise] is one more way in which the region takes a proactive approach to prepare for emergencies. This exercise will help us build on training and lessons learned from previous events,” said Arlington County Fire Department Chief Jim Schwartz. “After analyzing incidents worldwide we determined that the Mobile Emergency Response Vehicle (MERV) is an excellent tool to improve our rescue capabilities within the Metro system.”
Notes to the Media
- Arlington County Fire Chief, Jim Schwartz is available for interviews
- If you wish to cover the exercise there will be designated press parking on the west side of Fort Myer Drive
Introduction of New Emergency Technology
The MERV units will be the first motorized rescue carts used by a U.S. transit organization. The battery operated MERVs propel themselves on Metro tracks at a speed of 10 mph. They can turn what used to be a 45 minute walk for firefighters loaded with gear into a 4 minute ride.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Urban Area Security Initiative provided an $860,000 grant to buy 26 MERVs that will be used in long distance tunnel. Made of aluminum, the MERVs fold up and can be carried by responders.
MERVs were used by the London Fire Brigade in response to the terrorist attack on London transit. Members of the Council of Government’s Fire Chiefs Passenger Rail Safety Subcommittee (made up of firefighters representing local governments in the National Capitol Region serviced by Metro) attended a conference in London to evaluate lessons learned. The group, which included Arlington firefighters, saw the motorized rescue carts at the conference. A prototype was purchased in 2008. The new MERVs have been customized to work in the Metro rail system.
Press Contact: James Daugherty, 703-228-0157
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
