Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Ernie Seneca
Date: May 27, 2004 Phone: 919/733-5612
GOVERNOR EASLEY REMINDS CITIZENS TO BE PREPARED
RALEIGH – Governor Mike Easley today urged North Carolinians not to let warnings about possible terrorist activity disrupt the Memorial Day weekend.
“Be alert, not alarmed,” Easley said. “Take the standard safety precautions you would during any busy holiday weekend, but let law enforcement officers know if you see anything suspicious.”
Following a conference call with federal officials today, Crime Control and Public Safety Secretary Bryan Beatty says North Carolinians should not change their Memorial Day holiday or summer travel plans because of Wednesday’s terror warning.
“There are no specific threats to the state of North Carolina or any facilities or events located here,” said Beatty, who is North Carolina’s homeland security director. “North Carolinians should have their family emergency plan in place and their emergency supply kits ready just as they do for hurricane season.”
North Carolina’s homeland security brochure is available on the Internet at http://www.nccrimecontrol.org. The brochure explains steps people can take at each threat level to be more prepared in their home, business or at school. It also describes how to put together an emergency supply kit and what items should be included in it.
Preparations in the state for terrorism began before September 2001, but since then, activities related to first responder planning, equipment acquisition, training and exercises have escalated. Also, law enforcement agencies at the federal, state and local level continuously share intelligence and information in an effort to prevent terrorist activity.
North Carolina established the nation’s first statewide biological agent registry to track materials that could be used in terrorist activities, such as the anthrax attacks in fall 2001. North Carolina was the first state to begin an anti-terrorism training program for its state and local law enforcement officers.
Other preparedness activities include the development of public health surveillance teams, urban search and rescue teams, medical assistance teams, building advanced laboratories for testing of biological or other threats to both the human and animal populations, and increasing the state’s hazardous materials response capability.