Mock Disaster at N.C. State Helps Rescuers Deal With Threat of Terrorism

During the safety drill, dozens of injured students ran from a building on N.C. State's Centennial Campus complaining of blurred vision, difficulty breathing, nausea and headaches.

Police, fire and rescue workers had to treat patients while limiting their own exposure to an unknown chemical.

Bombings in Oklahoma City and New York have proven the threat of domestic terrorism is real. The mock disaster was designed to help prepare rescuers for an attack.

"At one time, we thought it was on foreign lands, but now it seems to be more likely in Hometown, USA," says Ann Gallegos, spokeswoman for theU.S. Defense Department.

Officials say the federally-funded drill went well. They hope to improve on communication and staffing issues. The Greater Raleigh area is the 49th U.S. metro area to hold the terrorism preparedness program