CANTON - Drivers on Route 108 may notice a plethora of emergency vehicles on Saturday, but don't worry, it's only a drill.

The Oxford County Emergency Management Agency will hold a full-scale exercise from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The exercise will take place at two gravel pits and a Maine Department of Transportation garage along the highway, and traffic may proceed as usual.

Scott Parker, director of the EMA, said the exercise will determine the strengths and weaknesses of an emergency response to a hazardous materials incident and separate mass casualty incident.

The exercise will involve emergency response, evidence collection, hospital coordination, and shelter setup. It will include the opening of a regional shelter at the Buckfield High School and the evacuation of Victorian Villa's rehabilitation facility.

The exercise will include approximately 250 first responders and volunteers, including seven emergency medical services, seven fire departments, five police departments, and two regional hazardous materials team. It will also involve five hospitals, the Community Emergency Response Team, the Community Animal Response Team, the Amateur Radio Emergency Services, 20 shelter volunteers, and 40 volunteer victims.

In addition to the exercise venues along Route 108 and at Buckfield High School, a unified command will be established at the Canton Fire Department.