Reagan National Airport Exercise - Role Players

Reagan National Airport Full Scale Exercise

October 5-6, 2024, from 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 5th to 2 a.m. on Sunday, October 6th

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is conducting a Full-Scale Emergency Exercise, simulating an active shooter, starting on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 9:00 p.m. and running overnight until 2 a.m. on October 6, 2024. We are seeking a large number of exercise volunteers to participate as simulated victims and travelers.

Please register early. Registration will close September 29, 2024 or when 120 people have registered.

Role players will act as traveling public and will be placed in different areas of the airport terminal. Role players are encouraged to bring backpack packs and/or “carry-on” size luggage with appropriate items for travel; e.g., clothes, shoes, and/or books. Please have contact information on your item if you are separated from your backpack/luggage.

The exercise will include a realistic scenario with simulated gunfire. In addition, the use of sirens, strobe lights and alarms may be integrated into the exercise. Police will be using a replica weapon that emits an eye safe laser or will be using a “blue” inert weapon. Exercise volunteers may have either type of inert weapon pointed at them and may be given commands. All exercise volunteers are required to comply with instructions unless otherwise instructed dependent on role.

Role players may be subjected to mock treatment for simulated injuries by emergency response personnel, placed on medical equipment (e.g., stretchers or backboards), and potentially transported to areas within the airport or simulated hospitals on airport property.

Exercise volunteers may be required to stand or sit for long periods of time and may be moved to various locations on the Airport property as part of the exercise. All exercise volunteers must be 18 years of age or older and will be required to sign a release/waiver to participate, including a video, photography and media release. The release/waiver is included below for review before registering. The release/waiver will be sent via Eventbrite and will be available to sign on the day of the exercise.

If you are interested in participating in this exercise, please register through this website and provide your full name, email address, and mobile phone number so that it can be used to contact you the day of and during the exercise.

All participants will be screened by law enforcement and on-site security. You will be prohibited from bringing prohibited items to the exercise to ensure the safety of all participants. Please see FAQs for the list of prohibited items.

Directions:

Directions to the volunteer parking lot will be provided via email one week before the day of the exercise. It is not recommended to take Metro to the exercise as the Metro system will be closed when the exercise concludes.

FAQs:

When should I arrive?

Actors will be assigned a staggered arrival time between 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm the week prior to the exercise. Please bring a government issued identification for check-in.

As a role player volunteer, what will my day entail?

After arrival, exercise volunteers will check-in and may receive simulated injury makeup. If you have allergies, skin sensitivities, or other reasons that preclude you from receiving makeup, please inform exercise staff during the check-in process so you can be assigned a “passenger” role. Additional instructions and safety information will be provided to exercise volunteers prior to arrival at the exercise location.

In the check-in area, there will be tables/chairs, snacks/soda/water and a safety briefing displayed on monitors. After check-in, role players will be given a yellow wristband to wear on their wrist, indicating checked-in and the release/waiver signed. A few role players will be sent to the moulage area for appropriate simulated injury make-up. When the exercise area is ready, role players will be sent to the exercise area and screened for prohibited items by TSA. After screening, exercise staff will provide role players with a green wristband to wear on the same wrist as the yellow wristband, then will direct role players to different areas of the terminal. Role players are welcome to bring a book/iPad to read while they wait. Cell phones are allowed in the exercise area, but videography and photographs are prohibited.

The exercise is tentatively planned to start at 11:30 p.m., October 5th. and end at 1:30 a.m., October 6th. Note that flight delays affecting the exercise area could potentially delay the start of the exercise.

Once the exercise is completed, exercise volunteers will be dismissed based on their pre-determined role. If during the exercise, role players leave the exercise area, whether in or out of role, they will not be permitted to re-enter the exercise area due to security requirements.

What can't I bring to the event?

Due to the nature of this exercise, the location, and the need to ensure a safe environment, exercise volunteers are prohibited from bringing specific items to the exercise. All exercise volunteers will be screened prior to entering the exercise area by law enforcement and on-site security. Role players will act as traveling public and will be screened by Transportation Security Administration personnel as if they were traveling on a commercial airline. Prohibited items for the exercise include, but are not limited to:

· Weapons (firearms, knives, brass knuckles, batons, asps, bats, and other items)

· Drugs or alcohol

· Liquids (empty bottles are allowed)

· Animals (unless service animal)

· Cameras, photographic and video recording equipment (cell phones are allowed)

Law enforcement and on-site security may determine an item is not allowed in the exercise environment if it poses a safety concern or threat. Exercise volunteers will be given the opportunity to store the items in their vehicles prior to entering the exercise area.

Is there an age limit to participate in the event?

All exercise volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

Parking will be provided free of charge. Specific parking instructions will be provided one week prior to the exercise. It is not advisable to take Metro, as the Metro system will be closed before the conclusion of the exercise.

What should I wear?

Role players may receive simulated injuries that will involve the application of makeup and/or fake blood which may stain your clothing. To simulate an injury, we may also want to cut or tear your clothing. Please wear old, comfortable clothes that may be ripped, torn, cut, or stained, as we cannot guarantee that clothing will not be damaged!

May I bring others to this event without registering them?

No. All exercise volunteers must pre-register for the event, so that we have contact information and an accurate headcount. Please enroll each person individually through the same Eventbrite link. If you have any issues, contact exercise staff via email [email protected].

What if I registered, but I need to cancel?

If you need to cancel, please cancel through the Eventbrite site or send an email to [email protected] stating that you cannot attend and would like to cancel your registration. Please do so as early as possible so that we can find an alternate role player.

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?

If you have any questions about the exercise, please send an email to [email protected].

Wavier:

The following release/waiver will need to be signed and collected prior to entry. Waivers will be emailed and provided at check-in for participants.

EMERGENCY EXERCISE

GENERAL RELEASE

I, _______________________, wish to participate in the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Emergency Exercise (Exercise) at Reagan National Airport to be held on October 5-6, 2024. The Exercise will involve a simulated active shooter(s) in Terminal 1. As part of the Authority’s obligation to prepare for this type of emergency, we recognize that our efforts would not be complete without the assistance of the community. I understand that as a volunteer I will serve as either as a role player or victim or in such other duties as may be assigned.

I acknowledge that this is a controlled active shooter scenario and that occasionally people are accidentally injured and that property is occasionally damaged in such exercises. By signing this General Release, I acknowledge that I am assuming the risk that I may be injured or that my property may be damaged in connection with my participation in the Exercise and I waive any right I may have to bring a claim against the Airports Authority or any other agency participating in the exercise or any individual for any injury I may suffer or damage I may incur as a result of my participation, and I release the Airports Authority and any other participating agency, and the individual employees of the Authority and of such agencies for injuries or damages which may arise from my participation in this exercise.

My participation is entirely voluntary and I acknowledge that there is no promise or expectation of compensation or reimbursement. I have had adequate time to read and consider this release and have no questions or reservations about signing it. I understand that I may withdraw from the exercise at any time, but I agree to immediately notify those supervising the exercise before I exercise my option to withdraw from the exercise. I understand that I may be removed from further participation at any time by those supervising the Exercise.

I understand that photos and videos may be taken and published in connection with the Exercise by the Airports Authority without further approval from me or without restrictions. I understand that media representatives may cover the event using photography or video. I agree that my participation grants the Airports Authority and the media permission to use my likeness in photos and video. I may refuse to be interviewed by a member of the media and I understand that any statement I make to the media does not constitute the position of the Airports Authority.

I agree to attend a safety briefing before the Exercise begins and I agree to abide by all directions given to me.

Full Name (Please Print) _____________________________________________________________

Email: _________________________________________ Cell:________________________

Address:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature of Volunteer or Parent/Guardian Date Signed

________________________________________________________

Signature of Witness Date Signed

Host or Publisher Emergency Management