Peach Tree Times

The Atlanta Fulton County Emergency Management Agency is preparing to handle disasters—coordinating an effort with crews dressed in HAZMAT gear and gas masks—running through how they would best respond if a nuclear detonation were to hit the city, a FOX 5 Atlanta report said this week.

The cooperative effort involves everyone from local fire departments to the U.S. Department of Defense and has been in the works for years, the report said.

"We have about 500 people here on site between the decontamination piece and also inside with the family assistance center, and public information," Operations Battalion Chief Chayne Sparagowski told FOX 5. "It's really the first exercise of it's kind where it integrates both the department of defense and civilian systems together into one whole response."

Lt. Col. Eric Miller of the U.S. Department of Defense underscored remarks, stating that their goal is to help support local agencies in whatever way may be needed. He added that it's good for authorities to be aware of how each element works—including decontamination for people and pets, as well as reuniting families.