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QUINCY, ILL. -- The Adams County Courthouse became the scene of a simulated mass casualty exercise Saturday morning.

Quincy and Adams County emergency response agencies along with Blessing Hospital took part in the exercise. The scenario involved a simulated explosion at the courthouse.

First response teams treated volunteer "victims" at the scene and transported more than 45 critical victims to Blessing Hospital where the emergency department tested new procedures for overflow of patients.

Teams train in smaller exercises throughout the year, but a simulation of this magnitude has not taken place in Adams County since 2007, when crews responded to a simulated hazardous materials spill in Coatsburg.

Adams County Emergency Management Director John Simon says mother nature has halted exercises in the last few years, including the flood of 2008 as well as the record snow fall and wind storm of 2011.