FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2018
MEDIA ALERT
MARTA POLICE PREPARE FOR SUPER BOWL LIII DURING REGION’S LARGEST EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EXERCISE
October 27th Exercise includes Theatrical Explosions, Simulated Injuries; Modifies Evening Rail Service
ATLANTA— The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Police Department will host the region’s largest emergency preparedness exercise on Saturday, Oct. 27, beginning at 10:30 p.m. until 4 a.m. the following morning. The full-scale exercise, taking place at MARTA’s Dome Station (which services Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena), will simulate a crisis scenario complete with explosions, smoke, and actors to help create a realistic setting for first responders. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Transportation Security Administration, and Atlanta Police Department are scheduled to take part in the exercise, as well as, several other federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.
“Our planning process for the Super Bowl started several years ago,” said MARTA Police Chief Wanda Y. Dunham. “We have held numerous table-top exercises, but this full-scale exercise will showcase our capabilities and assist us in identifying any gaps.”
Beginning at 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 27, service on the east and westbound Green and Blue rail service lines will be interrupted. MARTA will establish a bus bridge to bypass Dome Station and the exercise. Patrons utilizing the bus bridge will be directed to exit at Vine City Station or Five Points Station and board a MARTA bus that will take them to the next available station.
“MARTA is one of the safest transit systems in the country because of training exercises such as this one,” said MARTA General Manger & CEO Jeffrey Parker. “We appreciate the patience of our customers as we conduct this valuable exercise in preparation for the world’s largest sporting event.”
MARTA officials are contacting local businesses and residents about the planned exercise to minimize confusion and alarm. People within a five-mile radius of the MARTA Dome Station may hear loud noises and see heavy police activity as part of this year’s exercise.
MARTA Police Emergency Preparedness Unit Commander Major Aston Greene will be available for interviews about the exercise on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 11 p.m. until 12 a.m. at the Dome Station.
AT-A-GLANCE:
What: MARTA’s annual full-scale emergency preparedness exercise
When: October 27, 2017; Registration; 10:30 p.m. until midnight; Exercise; midnight until 4 a.m.
Where: MARTA’s Dome Station
Media Availability: Saturday, October 27, 2017; 11 p.m. until 12 a.m., Dome Station
Media Notes:
- Simulated attack to look and sound real with theatrical explosions and smoke
- Actors portraying victims will be in makeup to simulate realistic injuries
- No parking allowed at Dome Station
- Rail service for MARTA patrons will be modified to accommodate the exercise
- MARTA station agents will assist patrons utilizing the bus bridge
- There will be a media staging area, which will allow the press to watch the exercise in real time
Road Closures: In support of the exercise, the following roads will be closed to through traffic on October 27th from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.:
- State Farm Drive (formerly Philips Dr.) and parking lot. Closure beginning at 11:00 p.m.
- Andrew Young International Blvd. Lane closures beginning at 10:00 p.m.
- Portion of curbside lane out-front of State Farm Arena on Centennial Olympic Park Dr. beginning at 10:00 p.m.
Media RSVP: On-site parking details provided when you RSVP.
Contact:
Corporal Brian Lauda
blauda@itsmarta.com
(404) 427-9339 (cell)