The Federal Emergency Management Agency is holding drills across six states this week to see how prepared they are for a major earthquake along the New Madrid fault.
FEMA is teaming up with the military, as well as local hospitals, shelters and morgues for the simulation.
Beth Freeman is the FEMA regional administrator for Missouri and several neighboring states.
She says if there is an actual earthquake, teamwork among all levels of government will be critical.
“In the real event, we’re going to really rely on local responders, local law enforcement, the emergency managers, and local elected officials will be very important to the recovery and response,” Freeman said.
Freeman attended an event at the Springfield airport today where military personnel from across the country practiced evacuating patients injured in the simulated earthquake.
