The Tonawanda Common Council gave approval Tuesday to a massive national emergency preparation exercise to take place in early November that will simulate the effects of a 5.7 earthquake at the nearly demolished Spaulding Fibre site.

Officials from several agencies, including the National Guard, state Office of Fire Prevention and Control, and the city’s Fire Department, explained the concept of Vigilant Guard to the Common Council and administrative team before the Council’s regular session.

Lt. Col. Paul A. Fanning of the Army National Guard explained that the program helps his unit prepare not only for such emergencies as terrorist attacks or destructive weather, but also for working with other governmental response teams.

“[It’s] designed to help the Guard work better with civilian authorities,” he said. “That means they’ll be better prepared when an emergency happens.”

A series of exercises will be conducted throughout the area during the week of the Vigilant Guard, but Fanning said the Spaulding Fibre site, which is being demolished, cleaned up and redeveloped, would be the biggest test for responders because of its complexity.

The exercise will simulate the effects of an earthquake by building a rubble pile the size of a football field that will force responders to sift through obstacles large and small to rescue their “civilians.” Capt. Tom Wolfe of the city’s Fire Department is coordinating the event with officials from other agencies.

“All these [other] assets are out there, but if you don’t know they exist, you can’t really plan for it,” Wolfe said. “In today’s world, mutual-aid response is necessary.”

The exercise is expected to draw responders from across the Northeast.