Public safety agencies across the Dallas-Fort Worth region will take part in MetroX, a multiday, full-scale emergency response exercise simulating terrorist attacks and mass casualty incidents across multiple cities. The three-day training event will take place Oct. 27-29 and will involve police and fire departments, emergency medical services, hospitals, school districts, dispatch centers, emergency managers and city officials across the region.
As part of the preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) contracted The Olson Group to conduct a regional full-scale exercise, called MetroX. This is a region-wide exercise with a Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attack (CCTA) scenario impacting multiple jurisdictions and sites. NCTCOG is a voluntary association of local governments established in 1966 to assist local governments in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit and coordinating for sound regional development.
The exercise will test and enhance interagency coordination and preparedness in anticipation of upcoming large-scale regional events. Roughly, the exercise will have about 2,000 participants representing 20-30 agencies and organizations. Objectives include operational coordination, situational assessment, operational communication and critical transportation.
While Burleson does not have any active emergency exercises scheduled in out city, the public may see and hear simulated activity along I-35 W and in neighboring Fort Worth.
“MetroX is one of the largest regional exercises coordinated by the North Central Texas Council of Governments Emergency Preparedness Department and regional public safety teams,” NCTCOG Executive Director Todd Little said. “This will help test our systems, plans and capabilities to ensure we are ready as a region for any large incident or disaster.”