Accidental Panic Alarm Triggered CentraCare Clinic – Sartell Evacuation

Originally published 11:08 a.m. April 19th, 2023

Updated 11:33 April 19th, 2023

(KNSI) — Officials with CentraCare say an evacuation at CentraCare Clinic – Sartell Wednesday morning was due to an inadvertently activated panic alarm.

Workers tell KNSI the alarm went off around 10:00, and they immediately evacuated the building.

The Sartell Police Department, Avon, Cold Spring, St. Joseph and Waite Park police departments and the Stearns County Sheriff all responded to search the building.

In a statement from CentraCare emailed to KNSI, it says:

“At approximately 10 a.m. this morning, a panic alarm was inadvertently activated at the CentraCare Clinic – Sartell and as a result, multiple law enforcement agencies responded. Although it was a false alarm, emergency procedures were activated and the building was cleared by law enforcement and searched out of an abundance of caution. Because of the disruption, the Sartell Clinic is closed for the rest of the day and patients are in the process of being contacted. Nearby clinics also activated their emergency procedures but have since been given the all-clear. At no time did this incident pose a threat to patients, clinic staff or the general public. We are grateful for the quick response of law enforcement, CentraCare security and emergency management. A debrief of the incident will be conducted later today.”

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