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ONONDAGA COUNTY, N.Y. -- In less than two weeks, emergency response crews from across Onondaga County will be put to the test. The largest emergency response drill in recent history is being planned.

Forty-four participants, from the state Department of Homeland Security to the mayor's office, are taking part in the drill on Saturday, August 11th. Officials say the idea is to bring all of the different agencies together under a simulated emergency to ensure that all of the procedures and preparedness plans that have been developed over the past few years work together.

"Each of the participants has done drills within their organizations. This is the first time we have put all of these opportunities together in one large scale exercise," said Onondaga County Department of Emergency Management Commissioner Kevin Wisely.

The exercise will take place at multiple locations in the city, including the airport, Kennedy Square and the Emergency Operations Center.

Officials do want the public to be aware that there may be a column of smoke coming from the airport, but this, like all of the other activity, will be related to the drill.