Emergency Response Teams to Stage Mass Casualty Drill at Scotts Hill Ahead of CHOGM
Emergency personnel will simulate a serious vehicle crash to test hospital readiness, while a separate evacuation exercise is planned for the CHOGM opening ceremony venue.
By Cory Wayland
Emergency response teams across Antigua and Barbuda will be put to the test on Thursday, October 22, as authorities stage a simulated mass casualty vehicle crash at Scotts Hill in preparation for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The exercise, scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., is designed to assess the readiness of the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre and other emergency response agencies to manage an incident involving multiple casualties.
As part of the simulation, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel will transport individuals acting as injured patients from the crash site to the hospital, allowing medical teams to test their emergency procedures and response capabilities.
The operation will bring together personnel from the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, police, fire service, various clinics and the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS).
Motorists travelling through the Scotts Hill area are being advised to anticipate some traffic disruptions during the exercise.
Meanwhile, a separate evacuation drill is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, at the newly constructed Performing Arts Centre on High Street in St. John’s.
That exercise will take place between 10 a.m. and noon and will focus on emergency evacuation procedures at the facility, which has been designated to host the official opening ceremony of CHOGM.
The ceremony is expected to bring together visiting heads of government and other senior delegates, making emergency preparedness at the venue a key component of security arrangements.
NODS has also been working with hotels and event venues to strengthen emergency response plans ahead of the international gathering.
Antigua and Barbuda is scheduled to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting from November 1 to 4.
This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2026/10/21/emergency-response-teams-to-stage-mass-casualty-drill-at-scotts-hill-ahead-of-chogm. © 2026 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.
About the author
Cory Wayland is the Social Media Co-ordinator at Antigua.News, where he manages digital content strategy, audience engagement, and real-time news publications across social platforms. With a keen eye for trending topics and a commitment to factual storytelling, Cory plays a key role in shaping the online voice of Antigua.News.
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