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Following the 2001 terrorist attacks, Governor Mike Easley created the Governor’s Terrorism Preparedness Task Force, pulling together the state’s top experts in law enforcement, health, emergency response, environment, transportation, military, education, research and agriculture. The governor directed this group to take a hard look at our current preparedness and response capabilities and make any recommendations for strengthening our most immediate needs.
Fortunately for North Carolinians, our state has a well-practiced emergency response system, and had conducted anti-terrorism planning and training for several years before September 2001. Crime Control and Public Safety Sec. Bryan Beatty chaired the Task Force and is the state’s designated homeland security coordinator. In January 2003, Gov. Easley expanded the membership and duties of the State Emergency Response Commission to include the activities of the Task Force. Beatty chairs the commission, which is charged with reviewing plans for preventing, preparing for, responding to and recovering from acts of terrorism. Public Health is a part of that commission and works with its partners at both the state and local level on homeland security issues.
”Then, as now, the state stands ready to do whatever is necessary to reduce vulnerabilities, protect citizens, and respond to any terrorist incident that might occur,” Beatty said. “But every citizen in the state has a role to play. If anyone sees something out of the ordinary around their home, neighborhood or workplace, they should call their local law enforcement agency immediately.”
The Rutherford Polk McDowell District Health Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services.
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