Grants Pass, OR — A section of Ringuette Street will be closed to through traffic on the morning of Friday, May 9, 2025, to facilitate a planned Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) training exercise. The temporary closure will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., stretching from Grandview Avenue to the driveway of Southgate Cinema.
The drill, organized by ASANTE, is designed to simulate a large-scale emergency response and will involve multiple emergency service agencies and vehicles. The exercise will closely mirror a similar MCI drill conducted in October 2023, which included coordination between local hospitals, fire departments, emergency medical services, and air ambulance crews.
As part of the exercise, a medical helicopter is scheduled to land in a nearby field. To ensure safety during the landing and takeoff, ground spotters will be positioned around the landing zone, and the affected section of Ringuette Street will be secured by emergency vehicles. Only authorized emergency responders will be permitted to access the restricted area during the closure window.
City officials are urging motorists to plan ahead and use alternate routes to avoid delays. While through traffic will be blocked, emergency vehicles responding to real-time calls will still be granted access through the closed section.
The exercise is intended to enhance local preparedness and coordination in the event of a real-life mass casualty incident, where rapid and effective emergency response can be critical. Drills of this nature allow responders to test communication systems, triage procedures, transportation logistics, and hospital coordination in a controlled environment.
Residents and businesses in the surrounding area should expect an increased presence of emergency vehicles and personnel during the drill. Authorities emphasize that the event is only a simulation and poses no actual danger to the public.
For questions or additional information regarding the May 9 drill, community members are encouraged to contact Deputy Fire Chief Joe Hyatt at (541) 450-6200.