Public safety training scheduled at Ross Park Mall

Ross Township residents who notice flashing emergency lights, noise or activity at the Ross Park Mall on Sunday evening need not be alarmed — it’s just a drill.

The mall is allowing Ross police to host a public safety training exercise there that will focus on multi-agency cooperation with training stations for different events.

Police, fire and emergency medical services from throughout the area will be participating.

The Sept. 15 drill is scheduled from 6 to 10 p.m.

Ross police chief Joe Ley told commissioners earlier this month that the training was scheduled for a Sunday night because the mall is closed, which will limit disruptions, according to police.

“It’s a large-scale training event that requires a significant amount of coordination,” he said at the Sept. 3 board meeting.

Ley said residents along streets near the mall would be notified about the training.

He said the Allegheny County 911 center also will be notified about the training to handle calls from residents who are not aware that it is a training exercise.

The training is closed to the public but access to the mall will not be restricted.