Technical and Man-Made Emergencies

Technical and man-made emergencies can affect all or certain areas within a community. Hazardous spills or utility system failures, for example, may result in evacuation of an area or restricted access to parts of the county. It is important for families to discuss and develop a family communications plan so you know who to contact or where to meet when there is an emergency and your normal means of communication or transportation is disrupted. The plan should involve all family members and take into consideration where each family member is during the day, evenings and weekends (school, work, day care, etc). If evacuation is ordered, be sure to take medications, money, special food, pets and important information with you in case you can not return home for an extended period of time.

Acts of Terrorism

Terrorism is something that many of us never thought we would have to think about, but that is no longer the case. In the aftermath of Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, it became obvious that the threat of biological attacks against our soldiers was real. Increased incidents and threats of domestic terrorism (e.g. New York City Trade Center bombing, Oklahoma City federal building bombing, and numerous anthrax events) have brought the issue home to civilians as well.

Federal monies from Homeland Security have been made available to all States to enable them to identify high risk areas that could be targets for terrorists and to develop plans accordingly. The Carteret County Health Department, in collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Health and Carteret County Emergency Management Services has developed plans that could be implemented if there were an act of terrorism that would threaten the health of citizens in our county. Examples of terrorism for which plans are being developed include the use of bacteria, viruses and toxins as biological weapons. History tells us that diseases such as plague and smallpox can have devastating effects on the population. Tampering with our food and water supply could also affect large numbers of people. Plans for mass vaccination clinics and medical treatment centers have been developed and these plans are exercised periodically. For more information about these plans, contact the Carteret County Health Department at 252-728-8550.

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