Emergency crews in Beaverhead County will be busy Saturday, responding to simulated accidents in the region.

Beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, the Lima Rural Volunteer Fire Department and EMS will be called to a simulated accident on Interstate 15, south of Lima. Then, at about 10 a.m., Air Idaho will be landing in the parking lot of Barrett Hospital in Dillon, simulating patient evacuation. At about the same time, Dillon Fire

Department and EMS will be called to a "collision" between a truck carrying dangerous chemicals and a train, near the livestock auction yards, seven miles south of Dillon. Some time later, a third traffic accident will "occur" near the livestock auction yard and require a response emergency crews.

"In Beaverhead County and lots of rural counties in Montana, we rely on volunteers who give up their time and have the energy and enthusiasm to do this sort of thing. These exercises help hone their skills because, if there is a wreck in a rural, place you're a long way from a hospital and the first person that arrives, you're going to depend on them to give you the best care to possible to help you get through the trauma," Beaverhead County information officer Jack deGolia said.

Hazmat crews from Bozeman and Missoula will be on hand for the simulation, deGolia said.

The exercise will end around noon with a debriefing session later in the afternoon.

The exercise will not impact motorist on Interstate15.