About 500 people will take part in emergency planning exercises next week to test whether North Idaho would be prepared to receive people fleeing a major earthquake on the West Coast.

The Tuesday through Friday exercises are part of the multi-state Cascadia Rising event, which is meant to simulate the catastrophic effects of a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami.

“This is a great opportunity to test local emergency plans that will demonstrate our ability to host and provide assistance to evacuees from outside the area, at the same time supporting the needs of our local communities impacted by a large influx of disaster victims,” said Sandy Von Behren, director of Kootenai County Emergency Management.

During the event, people may see first responders around the Kootenai County fairgrounds and airport, but there will be signs indicating that a training exercise is underway. Federal, state and local agencies will take part in the exercises/Becky Kramer, SR.