Large-scale evacuation drill held

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – A large-scale evacuation drill was held in downtown Providence Thursday testing the city’s preparedness.

Thousands of workers participated in the drill, which involved the city’s largest office towers including Bank of America and One Financial Plaza.

Operation Smart-Exit as it’s called was initiated during June, which is National Preparedness Month.

“This is an evacuation that we’ve never done before to my knowledge, so having an opportunity to do it now is a good thing,” said Mayor Angel Taveras.

The evacuation drill was led by the Providence Emergency Management Agency and coordinated with the Rhode Island Red Cross and Rhode Island Disaster Medical Assistance Team.