There will  be a lot of excitement around the University of Akron campus Wednesday afternoon into the early evening as the Summit County Emergency Management Agency conducts a county-wide emergency response exercise. Agency Administrator Valerie DeRose tells AkronNewsNow a hazardous materials event along with a bomb threat scenario will be staged at the College of Arts and Sciences building,the Knight Chemical building and InfoCision Stadium.

The events will be staged between 2pm and 8pm, and signs will be posted as well as announcements made that it is only an exercise. Many local emergency responders from Akron and across Summit County will be involved in the exercise.

News Release from the Summit County Emergency Management Agency

On Wednesday, May 9, 2012, between 2 and 8pm, the Summit County Emergency Management Agency, along with the Summit County Local Emergency Planning Committee and The University of Akron, will be conducting a county-wide emergency-response exercise. The public should not be alarmed by the presence of emergency vehicles, SWAT teams and bomb squads during this time.      

The activity will be centered on the College of Arts and Sciences building, Knight Chemical and InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field. Citizens who work in or near the University campus may hear announcements over the indoor and outdoor warning systems regarding the exercise. The announcements will note that this is an exercise.     

Since 2007, the University has reworked its emergency plan and increased its coordination with city, county and state safety forces. Several small exercises have been held on campus over the years; this will be the first large-scale event. This exercise is to test safety plans and response between public safety agencies.

Some of the local emergency responders that will be involved will be: Summit County Special Operations Response Team, Hazardous Materials Branch, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Summit County Bomb Squad, Summit County SWAT, Akron Police Department SWAT, Akron Fire Department, University of Akron Police and SWAT, Summit County Executive's Office, University of Akron Administration and City of Akron Administration, Summit County Department of Development-GIS, The Ohio Emergency Management Agency, The American Red Cross Northeast Ohio Region, FBI, Ohio State Highway Patrol.

So, let's say the area is rattled by another earthquake. What do you do?

Valerie DeRose with Summit County Emergency Management says they go by tips distributed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"If you're indoors, take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture or a counter," DeRose tells AkronNewsNow.com, "or brace yourself against an inside wall or maybe even in a doorway, and protect your head and neck."

DeRose says if you're outdoors, move into an open area away from buildings or falling debris.

And if you're trying to get out of a building, don't use the elevator...use a stairway.instead. And DeRose says stay away from windows.

Since those in Northeast Ohio aren't used to preparing for infrequent earthquakes, DeRose says that's a good reason to be prepared for all hazards...even ones that don't happen here all that often.