Lynn B. Friedman - Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty: September 2017

Atlanta Midtown -
EMERGENCY STREET CLOSURES
for Preparedness Exercise

Heading out to Midtown this weekend? Be prepared for Street Closings near the Midtown MARTA Station in the evening Saturday, September 30, 2017.

Complete with explosions, smoke and actors to help create a realistic setting for first responders, the MARTA Police Department will host Georgia’s largest emergency preparedness exercise beginning at 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. the following morning.

The full-scale exercise, taking place at MARTA’s Midtown Station, and surrounding streets, will simulate a significant crisis scenario.

MARTA GM/CEO Keith Parker stated:
"These exercises are a critical tool that enable us to assess our response to crisis situations and identify areas for improvements. The recent terror attack on London’s rail system as well as natural disasters such as Hurricanes Harvey and Irma underscore the importance of running various scenarios.”

MARTA Police Chief Wanda Dunham explained steps to minimize confusion and alarm include notifying persons in the area. She said:
“Businesses and residents in a five-mile radius of the MARTA Midtown Station may hear loud noises and see heavy police activity as part of this year’s exercise.”

Lieutenant Aston Greene, the MARTA Emergency Preparedness Manager, was available for interviews about the exercise on Thursday, Sept. 28 from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Midtown Station. The meeting was for the Media.

MARTA STATION

OUTLINE OF MARTA EXERCISE

When:   September 30, 2017; 10 p.m. until 3 a.m.

MARTA’s Midtown Station

In support of the exercise, the following roads will be closed to through traffic:

• Peachtree Place NE from West Peachtree St. NW to Peachtree St. NE beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 30.
• 10th St. NE from West Peachtree St. NW to Peachtree St. NE beginning at      9 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 30.
• Road closures will remain in place until 5 a.m. on Sunday Oct. 1st. 
• Limited access will be provided for the Regency Suites parking deck and the Alta Midtown parking deck.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Simulated attack to look and sound real with loud explosions and smoke 

Actors portraying victims will be in makeup to simulate realistic injuries 

No parking allowed at Midtown Station.

Rail service for MARTA patrons will be modified to accommodate exercise 
MARTA station agents will assist patrons utilizing the bus bridge during the exercise.