Public Safety Exercise at Calumet Shreveport to Cause Temporary Road Closure, Community Urged Not to Be Alarmed

First responders to conduct public safety exercise at Calumet Shreveport; temporary road closure announced

SHREVEPORT, La. — An emergency response and evacuation drill will be conducted Wednesday (March 6) at the Calumet Shreveport plant in the 3300 block of Midway Avenue. As a result, Jewella Avenue between Midway and Hollywood avenues will be closed from 8 a.m. to noon.

Emergency Response Drill

The public safety exercise will involve the emergency management team at Calumet Specialty Products Partners’ Shreveport operation, Shreveport’s fire and police departments, the Caddo Sheriff’s Office, the Caddo Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, and Louisiana Region 7 Health Care Preparedness. Officials emphasize that the public shouldn’t be alarmed by the large law enforcement presence as the drill is meant to enhance coordination and preparedness in the event of an emergency.

Road Closure

Due to the exercise, Jewella Avenue between Midway and Hollywood avenues will be closed from 8 a.m. to noon on March 6. Interior streets to the west will be detoured to Broadway Avenue or Hollywood Avenue, while interior streets to the east will detour to Hearne Avenue or Hollywood Avenue.

Statement from Plant Manager

Plant manager at Calumet Shreveport, Brian Marcinkus, reassured the community, stating, “Our neighbors will notice a lot of activity around the plant. There is no cause for alarm. Emergency drills like this one are how we work proactively to build response capabilities that prioritize health and the environment.”