Suicide bomber and K-9 units in New York subway station - but it's not what you think (WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES)

'In New York City, we are, at this time, very well prepared and continually improving that preparedness.'

Following the Paris terror attacks, New York City teamed up with the Department of Homeland Security on Sunday to stage a three-hour active-shooter and suicide bomber drill.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Only days before the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, emergency responders from the NYPD, FDNY and Homeland Security cordoned-off the Bowery subway station and the surrounding streets for a three-hour attack drill.

The event including fully-equipped officers and K-9 units and all high-powered weapons were loaded with blanks. Though the drill had been planned for a while, there was an update following the Paris attacks and the drill was changed to accommodate suicide bomber attacks.

While authorities wore full-body armor, several people were dressed to appear as bloodied victims. NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton explained such exercises "are vitally necessary."

"Today's exercise was designed to test the coordination between our resources as well as the Fire Department."

To better-prepare emergency responders, officials plan to review multiple videos of the drill to see if any changes are necessary.

The drill was funded by the Department of Homeland Security and received New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's seal of approval. The drill served as an excellent example of how the city is "fundamentally prepared," he said. "You see more coordination, more teamwork than ever."

Philippe Juvin, a French doctor and head of the emergency department at Georges Pompidou Hospital, described injuries "worse than war" following the Paris terror attacks. He further explained how doctors were working through the night and was grateful that each had been properly trained to handle events such as the attacks.

Homeland Security Director Jeh Johnson assuaged fears, saying, "We know of no specific credible threat of a Paris-like attack directed at the U.S. homeland. We are and we continue to be and we have been concerned about copycat-like attacks." He then urged Americans to attend public events and continue with travel plans to show possible terrorist that fear has not reached the U.S.

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