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Metro and Fairfax County first responders will stage a full-scale emergency exercise at the West Falls Church Rail Yard on Sunday, May 31, simulating a train derailment with mass casualties.
The drill will run from 6 a.m. to noon at the rail yard near Interstate 66 and Virginia Route 267. Residents and drivers may see an unusually large number of emergency vehicles in the area, but officials emphasized that the response is only an exercise.
Metro’s Integrated Command and Communications unit is conducting the drill with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the Northern Virginia Response System.
Metro employees and first responders will practice rapidly rescuing victims and coordinating their response to the simulated derailment. The exercise is among several preparedness activities planned ahead of events this summer.
Rail and bus service will not be affected.