NC emergency teams significant

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – Federal officials say North Carolina has made significant progress in preparing for emergencies by establishing regional surveillance teams.
The federal Centers for Disease Control issued a report on states’ emergency response ability that looked at staffing, lab capacity and ability to deal with bioterrorism and other disasters.
North Carolina has seven regional teams that help health departments in all 100 counties train and plan for emergencies.
North Carolina preparedness director Dr. Julie Casani says state officials need to continue building relationships with local officials, businesses and schools.
Casani says federal funds initially approved in 2001 for preparedness are going away and the state needs to figure out how to stay on target.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)