Crews training for World Cup at Centennial Park in downtown Atlanta

ATLANTA - Atlanta police, fire and emergency crews carried out a large-scale mass casualty training exercise at Centennial Olympic Park as the city prepares for upcoming World Cup events.

What we know:

The morning silence at Centennial Olympic Park was shattered by a nightmare scenario: a mass shooter moving through the crowds with multiple casualties reported.

More than 150 first responders, including Atlanta Police officers, firefighters and EMTs, took part in the drill on Monday morning, which simulated a scenario involving multiple injured victims across the park.

Atlanta Police officers were the first on the scene, charging into the park to identify and neutralize the threat.

While tactical teams worked to locate the suspect, a second wave of officers moved in to secure a perimeter. Their mission was the grim task of assessing the wounded scattered across the lawn, ensuring the area was safe for medical teams to enter.

Once the "all-clear" was given by police, Atlanta Fire Rescue and Grady EMS teams swarmed the park to begin triage.

What they're saying:

Officials said the training is part of ongoing preparations for the World Cup FanFest expected to bring thousands of visitors to downtown Atlanta.

Leaders say the drills, which have been conducted for years, are designed to improve coordination between agencies and ensure the city is ready to respond quickly in an emergency.

With thousands of fans from around the globe expected to unite in the park, first responders are training for the worst-case scenario to ensure a "world-class" level of safety.

"You're going to see some dynamic training today," said APD Assistant Chief Carven Tyus. 

Shane Smith, a senior divisional manager with Grady EMS, emphasized that these large-scale drills serve a vital role.

"Working on this large scale, it gives us the ability to practice those things. Especially with FIFA coming up," Smith said. "Our part is basically the transportation of all those patients... making sure that we get those patients the care that they need, we get them to the proper location as least impactful as we can for the rest of the operations throughout the city."

As a Level 1 trauma center, Grady Memorial Hospital serves as the regional coordinating hospital during such events.

Lessons from 1996 Olympics

The backstory:

Atlanta is no stranger to tragedy. The city still carries the lessons of the 1996 Olympic Park bombing, a deadly event that left one person dead and over a hundred injured.

Decades later, that incident serves as a foundation for today's collaboration. These drills, which take place several times a year, allow different agencies to coordinate before a real crisis hits.

Assistant Chief Terrance Simon of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department says the priority is clear: "The number one thing is to stop the violence. After we stop the violence, then we want to save as many lives as possible."

A global gathering place

Why you should care:

This summer, the heart of downtown Atlanta will be transformed. Centennial Olympic Park is set to host the official FIFA Fan Festival™, operated in partnership with the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee (AWCHC), the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA), and FIFA.

The site will become a global gathering place featuring:

• Live match broadcasts
• Concerts and cultural programming
• Interactive sponsor activations
• Local food and beverage offerings

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