Santa Monica Field Training Exercise

Published on October 11, 2023

The Santa Monica Pier will be closed to guests from 6 AM – 12 Noon on Thursday, October 12 for a scheduled training exercise.

On Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm, personnel from the Santa Monica Fire and Police Departments will conduct an emergency preparedness training exercise at the Santa Monica Pier. The objective of this exercise is to train first responders and test their response to high-risk, complex, events involving multiple agencies and guests of the pier.

Training on real properties, such as a local school or in public spaces, is critical for police and firefighters. The best learning environments provide hands-on experience dealing with live simulated scenarios. This intensive training allows firefighters and police officers to learn the limits of their equipment and tactics in an educational, non-emergency environment.

The Training Cadre will utilize simunitions and smoke simulations which look and sound real. Simunitions are simulated ammunition that are intended to allow a realistic training experience using non-lethal projectiles that give off a sound. Smoke simulations are used during movie productions and frequently during Halloween. Combined with the help of volunteer actors from the community, Santa Monica Police and Fire Departments aim to make this training as realistic as possible to further prepare their personnel for potential, real-world scenarios.

Both the Santa Monica Police and Fire Departments are dedicated to the people they serve and protect. The City of Santa Monica recognize the potential for beach visitors and residents to be concerned by the smoke and sounds during tomorrows exercise. In addition to notices sent to the surrounding businesses and residents, signage will be placed around the perimeter of the exercise and staff will be available to answer questions from the community.

We understand that this exercise may cause some inconvenience and we greatly appreciate the understanding and patience of pier guests visiting Santa Monica on Thursday morning. Guests’ cooperation greatly assists the City’s efforts to ensure the safety and preparedness of first responders. Pacific Park, Santa Monica City Staff and residents greatly appreciate your continued support.

Feature image courtesy of @lusiocata