Dallas-Fort Worth, October 15, 2025
News Summary
Public safety agencies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will engage in a multi-day emergency response exercise named MetroX. Scheduled for October 27-29, the event will simulate terrorist attacks and mass casualty scenarios across multiple cities, involving various emergency services. The aim is to enhance regional preparedness, coordination, and communication among multiple agencies dealing with large-scale emergencies. Residents are advised to follow public safety instructions during the exercise as increased first responder activity will be noticeable in the region.
Dallas — Public safety agencies across the Dallas-Fort Worth region will participate in a multi-day, full-scale emergency response exercise called MetroX.
MetroX will take place from October 27-29, 2025. The exercise simulates terrorist attacks and mass casualty incidents across multiple cities and is designed to test and strengthen the region’s ability to respond to large, complex incidents.
What the exercise will involve
Various agencies involved include police and fire departments, emergency medical services, hospitals, school districts, dispatch centers, emergency managers, and city officials. The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Emergency Preparedness Department coordinates the event. NCTCOG Executive Director Todd Little noted that MetroX is one of the largest regional exercises of its kind.
The primary objective is clear: the purpose of the exercise is to test and strengthen regional preparedness, coordination, and communication among emergency response levels. Organizers say the exercise aims to evaluate how plans and systems perform under simulated stress and to identify gaps that require attention.
Public impact and safety guidance
Residents in the area may witness simulated gunfire, emergency vehicles, and role players acting as victims. There will be increased first responder activity near exercise locations. The public is advised not to be alarmed and to follow instructions from participating agencies if near an exercise site.
Operational focus and expected outcomes
The exercise simulates realistic scenarios that require multi-jurisdictional coordination, rapid medical response, and integrated communications across agencies. The exercise aims to ensure the region is ready for any large incident or disaster by testing systems, plans, and capabilities. Participants will evaluate incident command structures, mass casualty triage and transport, hospital surge capacity, and dispatch and communications interoperability.
Coordination by the NCTCOG Emergency Preparedness Department includes scheduling, scenario design, logistics, and post-exercise evaluation. Organizers plan to gather performance data and after-action observations to guide future training, resource allocation, and policy improvements.
Who is participating
Participation spans multiple levels of response and public services to reflect the complexity of metropolitan incidents. Agencies expected to take part include police and fire departments, emergency medical services, hospitals, school districts, dispatch centers, emergency managers, and city officials. This broad participation is intended to mirror the real-world interactions that occur during large emergencies.
Why the exercise matters
Large-scale exercises like MetroX provide authorities with opportunities to validate multi-agency plans and technical systems before an actual incident occurs. By exercising roles, communications, and coordinated actions, agencies can reduce confusion and improve outcomes should a true event occur. Planners emphasize that realistic training also helps communities develop clearer expectations about how responders operate during large incidents.
How residents can prepare
Residents who live or work in locations near planned exercise activity should be aware of increased emergency vehicle movement and staged activity. If residents encounter an exercise site, they are asked to remain clear of operations and follow any instructions given by participating agencies. Advance notices, signage, and public information channels are expected to be used to inform the public about specific exercise locations.
Next steps and follow-up
After the exercise concludes, participating agencies and the coordinating body will review performance, identify strengths and weaknesses, and publish recommendations for improvements. These after-action steps are intended to strengthen regional readiness and to guide future training and investments in response capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MetroX?
Public safety agencies across the Dallas-Fort Worth region will participate in a multi-day, full-scale emergency response exercise called MetroX.
When will MetroX take place?
MetroX will take place from October 27-29, 2025.
What scenarios will be simulated?
The exercise simulates terrorist attacks and mass casualty incidents across multiple cities.
Who will participate?
Various agencies involved include police and fire departments, emergency medical services, hospitals, school districts, dispatch centers, emergency managers, and city officials.
Who is coordinating the exercise?
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Emergency Preparedness Department coordinates the event.
How significant is MetroX?
NCTCOG Executive Director Todd Little noted that MetroX is one of the largest regional exercises of its kind.
What is the purpose of the exercise?
The purpose of the exercise is to test and strengthen regional preparedness, coordination, and communication among emergency response levels.
What is the exercise trying to ensure?
The exercise aims to ensure the region is ready for any large incident or disaster by testing systems, plans, and capabilities.
What might residents see during the exercise?
Residents in the area may witness simulated gunfire, emergency vehicles, and role players acting as victims.
Will there be more responders in some areas?
There will be increased first responder activity near exercise locations.
What should the public do if they encounter the exercise?
The public is advised not to be alarmed and to follow instructions from participating agencies if near an exercise site.
Key features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exercise name | MetroX |
| Dates | MetroX will take place from October 27-29, 2025. |
| Geographic scope | Dallas-Fort Worth region |
| Coordinating agency | The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Emergency Preparedness Department coordinates the event. |
| Participating agencies | Various agencies involved include police and fire departments, emergency medical services, hospitals, school districts, dispatch centers, emergency managers, and city officials. |
| Scenarios | The exercise simulates terrorist attacks and mass casualty incidents across multiple cities. |
| Public guidance | The public is advised not to be alarmed and to follow instructions from participating agencies if near an exercise site. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Blue Ribbon News: Multi-Day Large-Scale Emergency Response Exercise
- Dallas News: Winter Weather Is Here
- PR Newswire: Falck Launches Emergency Medical Services
- Wikipedia: Emergency Management
- Google Search: Emergency Response Exercise Dallas-Fort Worth
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
