County Participating in Statewide Medical and Health Exercise

If you see helicopters in the air, hear ambulance sirens and a strong police and firefighter presence at Solano Mall Thursday, don't panic. It's just an excercise.

But it's one that will test the ability of Solano County hospitals and first responders to transport and treat a large number of earthquake victims.

 The exercise takes place on Thursday, from 8 a.m., to 1 p.m., and will center at Solano Mall, according to a Solano County Public Health and Emergecny Medical Services press release. More than 300 Solano County residents have volunteered to act as earthquake victims to be transported to and evacuated by local hospital emergency department staff.

Before the start of the exercise, volunteers will gather at Solano Mall for registration and assignments. During the exercise, residents can expect increased helicopter, ambulance, fire truck and ambulance activity at Solano Mall.

In addition, emergency rooms at Kaiser Permanente (Vacaville and Vallejo), NorthBay Medical Center, Sutter Solano Medical Center, and VacaValley Hospital will see unusual activity for the duration of the exercise.