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If you're in Madison, hear an explosion, and see smoke coming from Camp Randall Stadium at 7 a.m., Thursday, don't panic.

It's "Operation Wisconsin Dawn," a full-scale, real-life simulation of an emergency at the football stadium to test the university's emergency response capacity.

Recognizing that images of the Boston Marathon bombing are still fresh in memory and the security environment throughout the U.S. is changing, planning for the full-scale emergency drill at Camp Randall began more than a year ago.

It will be the largest and most sophisticated emergency response exercise in the state's history, with more than 400 people expected to participate, according to UW-Madison police.

After the explosive sound effect is heard coming from Camp Randall at 7 a.m., on Thursday, emergency vehicles will respond with lights and sirens. Neighbors can expect the lights and sirens to cease by 10 a.m., according to the university

Nearby residents should also expect to see smoke, and acting victims with fake blood and injuries. The realistic nature of the exercise is designed to better prepare the university for an actual crisis.

The drill will result in the 1400 block of Monroe Street (Randall to Regent) being closed to traffic from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday. The UW Credit Union also will be closed until 3 p.m., when it it will open only for pedestrian traffic.

This will be the first time the university's emergency response capacity will be tested at this level, according to the university.

“Our philosophy is that emergencies can happen, and our job is to ensure that we can meet those challenges,” University of Wisconsin Police Dpeartment Emergency Management Supervisor Bill Curtis said in a news release.

The simulation will involve the Emergency Management Unit of the UW-Madison Police Department, along with university, city, county, state, and federal agencies including the Madison Fire & Police Departments, Dane Country Sheriff Office & Emergency Management, Department of Justice, FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, UW Hospital, and Meriter Hospital.