Acrisure Arena holds first-ever multi-agency mass casualty drill

Acrisure Arena is conducting an emergency drill today from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The scenario will be a controlled exercise onsite at the arena and at Desert Care Network, Eisenhower Health, Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency and Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.

Several other agencies and cities will participate in the drill, including AMR|Reach, Arrowhead Medical Center, CalFire, Cathedral City Fire, City of Rancho Mirage, College of the Desert, County of Riverside Emergency Management Department, Mercy Air, Palm Springs Fire Department, Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, and SunLine Transit Agency.

All participating agencies will treat the scenario as a full emergency situation and as a result, the public may see police and ambulance lights, and hear police/fire sirens during this time near the arena and local hospitals.

The public is encouraged to find an alternative route and avoid Varner Road between Cook Street and Washington Street between 8 and 11 a.m.

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.

Watch News Channel 3 starting at noon for more on the story.