The annual training was to begin at 10 a.m. Thursday.
Avantor Performance Materials in Phillipsburg planned emergency response training for 10 a.m. Thursday at its plant at 600 N. Broad St., according to an advisory from the company.
The Warren County Department of Emergency Management used a reverse 911 call at 7 p.m. Wednesday to warn residents near the plant, the company said.
Local and Warren County emergency responders will be involved, the company said.
The training is required under the New Jersey Toxic Catastrophe Act and "intended to test Avantor's on-site response measures as well as its coordination with outside emergency responders," the company said.
There will be "heightened activity" at and near the plant and there could be emergency sirens and "manufactured smoke," the company said.
"The community should not be alarmed as these effects are all part of the drill," the company said.
For many years, the plant was known as Baker Chemical, but the specialty chemical firm has changed hands a couple of times since then.
Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.