PEORIA - Central Illinois hospitals are taking steps to make sure they're ready for disaster.

24 hospitals in 18 counties will participate in a preparedness drill at Alpha Park in Bartonville starting Monday.

The three-day event was organized by OSF Saint Francis Medical Center to see if hospitals would be ready if a major disaster were to strike. The public is invited from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday to attend an open house of the emergency set up.