It looked like an emergency took place at the James Madison University Convocation Center Thursday. In fact, it looked like there could have been an act of terrorism.

It was a Virginia State Police Counter Terrorism/Criminal Interdiction Team effort to train emergency responders in a realistic terrorist situation.

In this fictitious situation, a canister of cyanide was placed in the gymnasium, threatening to harm a large group of spectators.

Emergency vehicles from multiple agencies filled the convocation center parking lot. Crews were walking around in hazardous material suits and gas masks.

They were searching for the mock canister of cyanide and any evidence that would help an investigation find who had placed the canister in the gym.

"It's a chance, it's a really good chance for them to really use their equipment, use their knowledge and training they've had just on very small things into a potential real life scenario," says Ron Raab, JMU professor and HAZMAT consultant for the Harrisonburg Fire Department.

On Wednesday, the emergency responders were in the classroom, learning about the chemical properties and behavior of cyanide.

The agencies that took park in the training included the Harrisonburg Fire Department, JMU Public Safety, the Harrisonburg Police Department, Rockingham County Fire and Rescue, Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office, National Guard 34th Civil Support Team, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Warrenton Training Center, Augusta County Fire and Rescue, Virginia Department of Transportation, and the FBI.