State praised for disaster planning
Published: Wed, Sep. 26, 2007 12:00AM
Modified Wed, Sep. 26, 2007 02:46AM
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closeRALEIGH -- The nation's top public health preparedness official gave North Carolina high marks Tuesday for its disaster planning.
"I think North Carolina is in the top five" among states, said Dr. Craig VanderWagen, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services first assistant secretary for preparedness and response. VanderWagen was in Raleigh to meet with the state's public health leaders.
Of particular note, he said, is North Carolina's collaborative work with hospitals to develop "surge" capacity in case of a mass disaster, such as a hurricane or outbreak of pandemic flu. Dr. Leah Devlin, state health director, said the state now can set up and staff a mobile field hospital of up to 400 beds.
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