Jefferson County Public Health Service held their annual mandated Emergency Preparedness Drill in Watertown Thursday.

The drill tested the response capabilities during an emergency health outbreak where large numbers of people would need to get vaccinated and treated in a short period of time. 

Participants were given the scenario of a hepatitis outbreak at a grocery store.

Officials had 72 hours to prepare and begin their response.

Similar drills recently took place in both Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties.

The training happens only once a year.