Several hundred National Guard members from the Northeast and Caribbean will be in central New York for disaster preparedness training.

New York National Guard officials say more than 700 soldiers and airmen from New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are coming together this week at the State Preparedness Center in Oriskany, near Utica.

The Guard members will prepare for certification as a regional disaster response force that can assist responders following a chemical, biological, nuclear or high-explosive incident.

Known as a National Guard Homeland Response Force, the various contingents also will train at the National Guard armory in Utica.

Guard officials say more details about the training will be released during the week.

(Source: WABC)