Local first responders have put out the call for volunteers.

They are asking for about 1,000 people to participate in a three-county disaster response drill on Friday and Saturday.

The drill, dubbed Urban Shield, will span Hays, Travis and Williamson counties.

Officials say it is the best way to practice a coordinated response to several disasters at the same time. Previous drills focused on a single situation and involved a limited number of injuries.

Response professionals say the drill will only be successful with the help of the public.

"They're giving us the ability to moulage them and get them involved in this decontamination process, so then we would have those persons able to transport to local hospitals," Otis Latin, director of Austin’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said.

Organizers still need about 400 more volunteers to participate. Find out how you can help at AustinUrbanShield.com.