San Onofre
In an effort to prepare for a catastrophe at the San Onofre nuclear power plant, various Orange County law enforcement agencies and fire departments on Wednesday began conducting a two-day drill.
Police and firefighters set up emergency stations and responded to a simulated disaster at the plant.
Joe McDonough, a spokesman for Southern California Edison, which operates the power plant, said the drill is one of many that take place each year to help train local emergency personnel.
Operations centers were established in Santa Ana, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente, according to an Orange County Fire Department spokesman. Warning sirens within 10 miles of the plant are to be tested between 10 and 11 a.m. today.
The drill is required by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to prepare local law enforcement authorities for a civilian evacuation should a life-threatening situation develop.
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