Local agencies to conduct mass casualty incident drill at Acrisure Arena on March 4

A mass casualty incident drill will take place next Monday at Acrisure Arena and local hospitals, authorities announced today.   

"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,'' Riverside County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jeff Cryder said in a statement.

The drill will be conducted from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on March 4 by the sheriff's department's Palm Desert Station, Cal Fire, Eisenhower Medical Center, Acrisure Arena and other local agencies, according to Cryder.

It will be treated as a full emergency situation, 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 experience an emergency.   

Motorists were asked to avoid Varner Road between Cook and Washington streets between 8 a.m. 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.