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Emergency Drill At JFK Helps First Responders Prepare For The Worst

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Federal, state, and local authorities donned HAZMAT suits and took part in a terror response drill at JFK airport on Saturday night.

Emergency responders trained through a scenario that included 350 actors portraying injured passengers.

One actor told CBS 2's Rachel Stockman that simulated training has a very real purpose.

"It was an interesting learning experience, as a student of emergency management. Going into a situation like this and how hard it is to get the time right," he said.

The drill was part of a government mandated requirement, led by the Port Authority Office of Emergency Management, it included several agencies from the tri-state area.

"This is about readiness, preparation, and teamwork, and collaboration," explained Pat Foye, the Executive Director of the Port Authority.

In Saturday night's scenario, a truck bomb crashed into a passenger terminal. Responders were tasked with rescuing a man from an overturned car in the midst of billowing smoke.

The Port Authority conducts similar exercises at all of its airports.

Have you ever witnessed emergency responders conducting a similar drill? Share your experiences in our comments section...

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