Loudoun County Metrorail Training Simulator

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

As Loudoun County Fire and Rescue (LCFR) learned of the upcoming extension of the Metro Silver Line into Loudoun County, it was clear that in order to provide effective fire and rescue response, thedepartment determined that constructing our own Metrorail prop would provide the most efficient and continuous opportunity to offer realistic and essential training to our staff without depending on a facility outside of Loudoun County. Staff researched the specifications to create a 95-foot replica of WMATA’s double track system, complete with third rail sensors and high voltage signage. This particular prop would provide essential in-county training for the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System (LC-CFRS) members to include mass casualty drills, identifying/handling brake fires, understanding and working with the 3rd rail power, and future combined training with fire marshal’s and law enforcement to include active shooter drills. LCFR, together with the County's Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure, worked with WMATA to obtain two retired rail cars and obtain the services of a consulting firm that arranged the transport of the cars to the Academy. The Facility was the result of a few years of research and construction and it was opened to our LCFR staff, local law enforcement and nearby jurisdictions for training of emergency response to metro rail cars in June of 2017.