Central Oregon first responders to conduct ‘mass casualty drill in Redmond

Published 4:59 pm Monday, June 19, 2023

Central Oregon emergency responders are conducting a mass casualty drill at Elton Gregory Middle School in Redmond on Wednesday.

Officials say the training is intended to “rehearse the unimaginable” so communities will be prepared should tragedy strike.

Redmond School District students and staff will assist the participating agencies through role-playing while firefighters will rehearse transporting many injured people. School buses will also be used to rehearse transporting noninjured people to a reunification center.

“It is the vision of the Redmond Police Department to make Redmond the safest community in Oregon,” Redmond Lt. Jesse Petersen said in a press release. “This training will help us to respond better should an incident of this nature ever occur.”

Authorities will be closing roadways for the drill at 7 a.m. Wednesday, limiting access to homes and businesses around NW Upas Avenue from NW 10th Street to NW 15th Street. Petersen said in the news release that many first responders will be there for the training.