Oakham to Shake with Simulated Explosions as Major Emergency Exercise Hits Saddlers Court
Residents across Oakham are being advised that the sudden sound of explosions and the sight of rising smoke on Wednesday evening are no cause for alarm. A high-intensity major incident exercise is scheduled to take place on March 25, 2026, between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm, transforming the area around Saddlers Court into a controlled disaster zone for vital training.
The operation, coordinated by Rutland Medical Solutions Ltd, will be centered at their Education and Training Centre located behind Cabel. The exercise is designed to simulate a large-scale road traffic collision, providing a rare opportunity for multiple agencies to practice the seamless coordination required during a real-world catastrophe. Participants include Rutland Medical Solutions, Rutland Community First Responders, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, and the Rutland Police.
The most dramatic moment of the evening will occur promptly at 7:00 pm, when a series of loud, controlled bangs will signal the start of the scenario, followed immediately by a large plume of smoke. While the effects are designed to be startlingly realistic, organisers have assured the public that the event has been fully risk-assessed and will be closely monitored by fire crews on-site. Following the initial "explosions," residents may still hear the drone of high-powered cutting equipment as fire and rescue teams work to "extricate" casualties from the scene.
Public safety and mental wellbeing are top priorities for the coordinating teams. A group of student actors from Oakham School will be portraying victims, utilising professional-grade makeup to simulate graphic and distressing injuries. Because of the nature of these visual effects, officials are strongly discouraging parents from bringing young children to watch. Although the site has been shielded from most public footpaths and roads, the realistic nature of the trauma simulation could cause undue distress to passersby or unauthorised spectators.
Despite the heavy presence of emergency vehicles and sirens, Rutland’s actual emergency coverage will remain unaffected. All personnel involved are attending the exercise in an off-duty capacity, ensuring that standard 999 services remain fully available to the community throughout the evening.
Residents with concerns or those seeking further information are encouraged to contact the organisers directly at 0800 998 7202 (Option 5). For more information on the work of the organizers, you can visit their website at rutlandmedicalsolutions.co.uk.
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