Camp Ripley to Host National Emergency Training Exercise

LITTLE FALLS -- Camp Ripley will be one of three locations in Minnesota to hold a national exercise to test emergency response procedures.

The Vigilant Guard program, which runs from Saturday through next Friday, helps communities prepare for emergencies.

Over 1,100 Minnesota National Guardsmen, along with 320 military members from across the country will work with state agencies and civilians in exercises at Camp Ripley, Duluth, and St. Paul.

The exercise in Duluth will incorporate two fictional events -- a hazardous material railway incident and a catastrophic weather occurrence. Similar scenarios will be held at Camp Ripley, utilizing the camp's state-of-the-art facilities.