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Massive Terror Drill In Boston Area This Weekend

BOSTON (CBS) - A massive terror drill is planned for Saturday in the Boston area, the first 24-hour training exercise in the nation.

600 first responders will be tested in "Urban Shield" in Boston and surrounding towns, like Everett, Quincy and Brookline.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports

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There will be a simulated rogue sniper at a hotel, several bomb scares, and the seizure of a critical control area by "would be" terrorists.

WBZ-TV's David Robichaud reports

The simulation is being paid for by the Department of Homeland Security with a $1 million grant.

It's designed to test communities' real-time and real-life responses to potential terrorist attacks.

"We're going to have a simulated attack on this area and the first responders are going to have to understand what their duties are and perform those duties," Mayor Tom Menino told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 Friday.

"If you see activities around town, it's only a practice, it's only making sure we have a safe city. Don't assume anything. Don't let rumors sweep you up. We want to make sure we're all set to deal with it properly, if it does come to our city."

The drill will start at 8 a.m. Saturday and end at 8 a.m. Sunday.

Urban Shield Sites:

SWAT Site 1
Boston Marriott Copley Place
110 Huntington Avenue, Boston

SWAT Site 2 (EMS Integrated)
Pine Manor College, Ashby Campus Center
400 Heath Street, Chestnut Hill, MA

SWAT Site 3
Tobin Elementary School
197 Vassal Lane, Cambridge, MA

SWAT Site 4
Distrigas (Closed Site)
18 Rover Street, Everett, MA

SWAT Site 5
Winthrop Ferry
713 Shirley Street , Winthrop, MA

USAR Sites 1-3 (EMS Integrated)
Fore River Shipyard (Closed Site after 5:00 p.m. Sat.)
115 E. Howard Street, Quincy, MA

Bomb Squad/K-9 Site 1
Amtrak Maintenance Facility
2 Frontage Road, Boston, MA

Bomb Squad/K-9 Site 2 (EMS Integrated)
Quincy High School
52-54 Coddington St., Quincy, MA

Bomb Squad/K-9 Site 3
Everett Produce Center
183 Beacham Street (off Riley Way), Everett, MA

Consolidated Site (All Teams)
Boston Marine Industrial Park
3 Dolphin Way, Boston, MA 02116

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