First responders from across Kentucky want to make sure they're ready in case you ever need them. Thursday morning they took part in a training exercise in Woodford County to test their emergency response skills.

Organizers say they wanted the crews to not only learn what they're doing right but to also see if there is any part of their tactics that could be improved.

This training exercise was a joint effort between the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture and the Bluegrass Emergency Response Team.

"We've got people in ten counties ready to send us stuff," said Keith Slugantz, the Woodford County Emergency Management Director.

The training scenario involved a backhoe that hit a gas line, causing an explosion at some grain silos. With multiple injuries to respond to and one fatality these rescuers had to make life and death decisions, just as they would in a real emergency.

"If you don't test it and exercise it, you don't know if the plan is good," said Slugantz.

Leaders at the scene say they've been pleased with the response, but the event helped them pinpoint some communication issues they can improve.

When the exercise first started there actually was a real emergency at the farm. Farm workers hit a gas line but crews contained it and the training continued.