The drill, said Kevin Kupietz, fire service and EMS coordinator for the college, will also include non-traditional responders, such as the health department, social services and the Red Cross.

“It's something we try to do annually,” he said this morning. He declined to comment on the exact scenarios of the drill.

The drill will include 20 controllers and evaluators to assess the performance of first responders from what was done right to what can be improved upon.

Kupietz said not only will Halifax Regional Medical Center be used, but patients will also be transported to Rural Health.

Roanoke Rapids first responders will be doing smaller exercises within the broader drill as well, he said.

Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Chuck Hasty said, “It's training to sharpen our skills. Ours will be more like an active shooter. It's always good to practice and have drills and try to work kinks out. When it's in a controlled environment, no lives are at stake.”

In a news release Thursday, the county said, “This exercise will allow area responders to practice their skills for a large event in realistic settings to be better prepared to protect the citizens of Halifax County.”

Because the exercise will be conducted simultaneously in multiple locations, it will allow responders to practice complex command and coordination efforts, including exercising the medical countermeasures dispensing plan. Responders including local fire departments, law enforcement, emergency medical services, public health and others will participate in this exercise, the county said.