SAVANNAH, Ga. () — A city-wide effort and multiple years in the making. Thats how local officials describe the emergency drill that took place Thursday morning to test preparedness from different agencies if an actual emergency takes place.

“[We are] really trying to improve the preparedness levels of the city of Savannah and our community,” Emergency Management Director Dave Donnelly stated.

Multiple agencies worked together to do just that. Thursday’s lesson: hazardous chemical spills from the Kraton facility.

“So, we’re simulating the release of a railcar and then all of the county hazmat teams, EMS, and everybody is going to respond and we are going to have some people that are impacted. So, there’s going to be a variety of people that are transported,” said Sam Striegel, Kraton Plant Manager.

Surrounding neighborhoods were even a part of the drill. Some observed stay-in-place orders, others evacuated. Emergency management director Dave Donnelly says drills like this are necessary because practice makes perfect, for if and when a real-life emergency takes place.

“The reason why we did hazardous materials is, you know, we have hurricanes, but we have other stuff going on. And this is one of our big things. We have an industrial zone; we have the port. So, all those corporations, all trucks and trains and airplanes and everything else, ships coming in the area have chemicals, use chemicals. So, if something should happen at one of these facilities on the highway or wherever the case may be, we need to prepare for that and we need to be prepared to protect our community,” Donnelly stated.

Thursday’s drill involved Chatham Emergency Medical Services, Savannah Fire, Savannah police department and others. Drills like this happen at least once a year to make sure everyone is prepared in case of an emergency.