Emergency preparedness exercise happening in St. Paul Thursday

Officials from several agencies are participating in a large-scale preparedness exercise Thursday in St. Paul.

The St. Paul Fire Department, St. Paul hazardous materials teams, FBI agents, St. Paul police, St. Paul Emergency Management and the Minnesota National Guard are all expected to participate.

The city says the exercise is expected to run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and while roads around the area — on Beulah Lane near Jessamine Avenue West — will remain open, some traffic congestion is possible.

Officials say the exercise strengthens their ability to respond to emergencies and better prepares personnel to support the emergency needs of the community when an event happens.