New York State Park Police will conduct a simulated training exercise focusing on a mass casualty response April 30, 2023, at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). The training will focus on coordination and emergency response during several simulated scenarios involving injuries to a large number of concertgoers at the venue.

Park Police are seeking volunteers to portray concertgoers from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Volunteers should provide name, phone and email to contact information. Volunteers will need to provide a signed volunteer service agreement at the time of service – a copy is available here. Please send completed volunteer agreements and questions concerning volunteers to ParksEmergencyMgmt-Exercises@parks.ny.gov. Refreshments will be available.

The public should be advised of a noticeable police presence will be near SPAC inside Saratoga Spa State Park for these exercises. The simulation will involve personnel from Park Police, New York State Police, Saratoga County Sheriff's Office, Saratoga Springs City Police and Fire Departments, local EMS Agencies as well as operations staff from Saratoga Spa State Park, Live Nation and SPAC. Additionally, Saratoga Hospital, Albany Medical Center and their regional partners will concurrently be exercising how the simulated event will affect their emergency plans.

The area around SPAC will be closed to the public during this time. All area traffic will be alerted to the exercises at all entry points into the park. Weapons used during training exercises are incapable of firing a live duty round.

All media interested in observing a portion of the training and conducting interviews with law enforcement will be welcome to attend the training. Media is asked to RSVP at news@parks.ny.gov.