The Red Cross plans an exercise Thursday in St Joseph to test the organizations ability to open and manage a disaster shelter.

More than 20 volunteers will participate by processing disaster victims into the mock shelter.

The St Joseph Health Department will participate with the Medical Reserve Corp. and will also test their pet trailer. The trailer is a vehicle that can house pets impacted by a disaster.

The Red Cross is holding the exercise now, ahead of the severe weather season in northwest Missouri. The exercise is at noon thursday at The Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church. It last about two and half hours.