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Emergency vehicles will converge on the West Falls Church Metro station area Sunday, May 31, as first responders test their readiness for a simulated train derailment and mass-casualty incident.

The exercise will run from 6 a.m. to noon at the West Falls Church Rail Yard, north of the station near Interstate 66 and the Dulles Access Road in Idylwood. Residents and travelers may see an unusually large number of fire trucks, ambulances and other response vehicles, but Metro emphasized that the activity is only a drill.

Metro is organizing the exercise with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the Northern Virginia Response System. It will assess how well first responders and transit employees coordinate during a major rail emergency.

Rail and bus service at West Falls Church is not expected to be affected. The station averages 1,775 weekday entries, according to Metro ridership data.

The drill is among several preparedness activities planned ahead of a potentially busy summer, when events marking the country’s 250th anniversary are expected to add to the usual influx of tourists in the Washington area.

Metro has faced actual derailments before. On Oct. 12, 2021, a Blue Line train derailed near Rosslyn, forcing the evacuation of about 400 passengers. A few people required treatment for medical emergencies, but no significant injuries were reported.

An investigation uncovered deficient wheel axles, prompting Metro to withdraw more than half its railcars for inspection and causing an extended reduction in service.