BUCHANAN – If you hear what sounds like live gunfire around the Indian Point nuclear power plant over the next several days, don’t be alarmed.

Entergy will be using simulated weaponry that sounds like the real thing during parts of the day and evening on October 4, 5, 6, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18 and 20, said Indian Point spokesman Jerry Nappi.

“Over the several weeks we will have security officers act as a hostile force to perform drills where they try to attack the plant, and our security force using laser type weapons will defend the plant against these hostile forces,” Nappi said. Every three years, the federal government evaluates how well the security team defends the plant from outside forces.

Participants in the drills will carry out simulated attack scenarios that are intended to be as realistic as possible.  Entergy will be using a system that involves laser “bullets” and vests with laser-detection equipment, and duplicate the effects, including the sound, of life ammunition.

The special Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems gear is used for military and counter-terrorism training across the country to be as realistic as possible without using real bullets.

The plant conducts those drills twice a year.   Local law enforcement agencies have been informed about the events.