PALM DESERT, CA — If you noticed a large police, fire, and Sheriff’s Department presence on Monday in Coachella Valley, here’s why. A mass casualty incident drill involving area fire and police was scheduled for Monday at Acrisure Arena. It would take place at the arena and local hospitals in an effort to practice emergency procedures and hone protocols during an incident at the area, or large scale gathering.
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There was no relationship between the drill and a fire that broke out overnight in nearby Thousand Palms, which was reported by Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department Monday morning.
Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Jeff Cryder shared the reason behind the mass casualty exercise.
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“The goal of this multi-agency drill is to test emergency protocols/procedures and to practice the operational responses of personnel and agencies during an emergency event,” Cryder said in a statement.
The drill will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday by the sheriff department’s Palm Desert Station, Cal Fire, Eisenhower Medical Center, Acrisure Arena, and other local agencies, according to Cryder.
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It will be treated as a full emeration, so people in surrounding areas may see police and ambulance lights and hear sirens, Cryder said. People were urged not to call 911 unless they experienced an emergency.
Motorists were asked to avoid Varner Road between Cook and Washington streets between 8 and 11 a.m., according to Eisenhower Health spokesperson Lee Rice.
Anyone with questions was asked to call Sgt. M. Judes of the Palm Desert sheriff’s station at 760-836-1600.
The scenario will be a controlled exercise onsite at Acrisure Arena at local hospitals.
All participating agencies will treat this scenario as a full emergency, according to officials. As a result, the public may see police and ambulance lights and hear police/fire sirens near the arena and local hospitals. This multi-agency drill aims to test emergency protocols/procedures to practice the operational responses of personnel and agencies during an emergency event.
Related:
Smoky Debris Fire Blankets Coachella Valley Skies: Cal Fire
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