Disaster Drill To Test Response Times For Several Agencies

DENVER (CBS4)- If you see large groups of emergency responders and law enforcement gathering in the Denver metro area on Friday morning, don't worry. It is probably just a disaster drill.

The emergency exercise will take place at ten different locations including Union Station, Sports Authority Field at Mile High and two schools.

The drill will include simulated gunfire, weapons and smoke.

"People in the metropolitan area will be seeing a variety of large gatherings of public safety professionals that appear to be moving into a disaster, into a crisis situation, into a threat," said Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson.

It's called "Operation Mountain Guardian" which is a terrorist-based, full-scale emergency exercise. Robinson insists the drill will be more realistic than a similar exercise conducted two years ago.

"We would rather test in a planned exercise scenario so that people have been there done that before they are asked to go into a real world disaster," said Robinson.

Law enforcement officers from 81 agencies are preparing for the drill. Despite the preparedness training, Robinson said there is no immediate concern about terrorism in the Denver metro area.

"There is no imminent threat. This is simply good business," said Robinson.

Officials want to inform people that there will be no traffic tie-ups during the morning commute. The exercise is expected to begin at 5 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The exercise is being paid for by a grant from the Homeland Security Administration.