MSNBC.com

Neb. - Are local emergency management personnel prepared to handle a disaster that could result in mass fatalities? The question is being asked during a three day exercise in North Platte. The exercises give local officials an idea of what their role would be if a devastating event occurred in the community.

An explosion occurs at a convention center filled with 45 hundred people 18 hundred of which are children. There are reports of over 100 deaths. Now, it's up to local emergency responders are combing the scene looking for bodies and other debris.

It is part of a mass fatality exercise that trains local officials on how to handle an event that could cause mass fatalities.

Peter Teahen, President, Intl. Mass Fatality Ctr., "The exercise in the class is essential to help communities understand the complexities of the mass fatality response. It is much more than just picking up the remains. It is caring for the deceased. It is caring for the families that will come in to claim their dead. The exercise brings to life all of the things we discuss in class and allows them to start thinking about how they can implement the plan. It also makes them think how they can make their community better prepared."

Combing a disaster scene looking for bodies is not a pleasant thought. However, officials say, if the city and county are not prepared a bad situation could be made even worse.

Jim Nitz, Lincoln Co. Emergency Mgt. Dir., "Since you never have an idea if or when this will occur, we have to have training ahead of time in order to prepare for it."

Nitz says this exercise is an eye opening experience. He adds that it gives emergency personnel a lot to think about but he feels that will better serve the community in the long run.