Waterford — The Federal Emergency Management Agency will hold a public briefing Friday, March 23, at 3 p.m. in New London following a one-day exercise at Millstone Power Station.

The exercise lets federal teams assess state, local and staff performance in the event of a radiological release.

Participants in the exercise include the state and all communities in the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone, which must activate their emergency operation centers during the exercise, FEMA said in a news release Monday.

FEMA will observe local, state and utility officials' ability to protect public health and safety for those living near Millstone during a radiological emergency, while the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission will observe and evaluate on-site performance of plant staff.

The exercise is part of FEMA's Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program. The briefing will be held at the Fort Trumbull Conference Center, 90 Walbach St., New London. Members of the public may submit written comments at the briefing or afterward, FEMA said.