Fort Worth to take part in large-scale emergency response exercise

Fort Worth to take part in large-scale emergency response exercise

Published on October 21, 2025

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.

Some exercises will take place in Fort Worth at the Fort Worth Joint Emergency Operations Center, Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex and TCU's Amon Carter Stadium.

"The event is really important for the City of Fort Worth to be an active participant due to the city's growth and the number of events headed to the city, especially the FIFA World Cup in 2026," Emergency Management & Communications Director Sonny Saxton said. "This is something that allows our emergency departments and personnel to learn from and understand how a large-scale event can impact various agencies and resources throughout the region. With this exercise, the City will be prepared for any scenario that could occur, creating relationships with other agencies and understanding the process in case of a regional emergency."

Area residents may see and hear simulated gunfire, emergency vehicles, role players acting as victims and increased first responder activity near exercise locations. The public is asked to not be alarmed and to follow instructions provided by participating agencies if near an exercise site.

"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."

Get articles like this in your inbox. Subscribe to City News.

• Community Safety