Legoland Closed Wednesday For Large-Scale Training Exercise

CARLSBAD, CA — Legoland California will be closed Wednesday for a large-scale training exercise, authorities announced.

Two search-and-rescue task forces will undergo training at the Carlsbad-based theme park, according to the Carlsbad Fire Department.

The Carlsbad Fire Department, in partnership with San Marcos Fire Department and Cal Fire, received official designation as California Regional Task Force 13 last year, Carlsbad Fire Department spokesperson Holly Angeles-Gonzales said.

RTF 13 is one of 11 California Regional Task Forces in the state and is the only one of its kind in San Diego County.

"RTF 13 is a 30-person Regional Task Force equipped to provide support to local, regional, tribal and state agencies," Angeles-Gonzales said. "The regional task force model is based on the principle of fast, light, and mobile response and is designed to provide support quickly and efficiently to complex incidents that require assistance beyond an initial alarm."

RTF 3, based out of Long Beach, will also participate in the mobilization exercise at Legoland, which will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Task force members will perform a variety of technical search-and-rescue operations during a mock earthquake scenario, Angeles-Gonzales said.

Legoland will be closed to the public for the day. The training teams will be dispatched to Legoland to respond to a simulated earthquake.

RTF 13 is expected to arrive by 8:45 a.m., while RTF 3 is expected to arrive by 11 a.m. In addition to the 60 task force members, there will also be volunteers serving as role players, proctors and evaluators, Angeles-Gonzales said.

Funding for the training exercise was provided by the California Office of Emergency Services and the California Specialized Training Institute.