Metro Police Unleash Blue TIDE at Union Station
No service disruptions expected
By JACK HEINBAUGH
Updated 11:40 AM EDT, Tue, Feb 2, 2010
To view this video you must to have Flash Player 9.0 or later installed. Click to download the most recent version of Flash.
A Metro bus explosion, shooters at a subway station and a blast in a subway tunnel -- staged scenarios, but Metro wants to be ready just in case.
The transit agency is planning a series of tactical drills to prepare for emergencies. The drills include all regional partners and will test the coordination and response needed for three different emergencies.
The first exercise was conducted from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Tuesday at Union Station. Metro called Tuesday's show of force Blue TIDE (Terrorism Identification and Deterrence Effort).
Metro said Blue TIDE included a number of security sweeps and patrols at Union Station by officers from a number of units, including the anti-terrorism, special response and K-9 explosives detection teams, Metrobus enforcement and criminal investigations divisions, bomb technicians, emergency management, mobile and foot patrols, auto theft unit, bicycle squad, crime prevention and police communications.
On Feb. 12, there will be a simulated explosive blast on a Metro bus in the parking lot at RFK Stadium and another bomb found on another bus.
The next day, the drill will involve an explosion on a Metrorail train in the tunnel between Rosslyn and Foggy Bottom.
And on Feb. 24, the final scenario will involve gunmen at the Friendship Heights Metrorail Station.
The drills will take place on closed tracks and during off hours so there'll be no impact to service, Metro said.
First Published: Feb 1, 2010 3:49 PM EDT
You Might Like
You have 2000 characters left
