The humming of a helicopter may not be a sound that many North Carolinians notice day to day, but that sound could mean hope for someone in dire need of rescue. The NC Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (NCHART) is a specialized team of NC National Guard and NC State Highway Patrol pilots paired with local first responders who serve as rescue technicians under coordination of NC Emergency Management personnel all working together towards a common goal—saving lives.
Topics Related to Emergency Management
The annual South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo (SAFRE) is being held at Raleigh’s Convention Center this year, where fire departments from around the state come to network, check out new equipment, learn in workshops and participate in the HazMat Challenge.
A delegation of state officials, including some from the Department of Public Safety, visited the African nation of Botswana in July to share their knowledge with government agencies in that country, as part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program.
Pets—whether furry, scaled or feathered—are valued members of any family. When disasters strike, many families are at a loss of what to do with their pets, especially if they must evacuate. That’s why throughout the month of June, which is also Pet Preparedness Month, emergency management teams are encouraging pet owners to incorporate their animal friends into their emergency plans.
The following message is from North Carolina Department of Public Safety Secretary Erik Hooks.
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The heavy rains that drenched parts of North Carolina this week and resulted in severe flooding to different areas are an all too familiar reminder of the importance of making sure you and your family are prepared in case of an emergency. June also marks the official start to another hurricane season and as so many of us have experienced first-hand, it only takes one storm to do serious damage.
At the first hint of winter weather, Southerners are notorious for rushing to the store to stock up on bread and milk. Will it be a five loaves, two-gallon storm? Or more of a single-loaf, half-gallon flurry?
While we can laugh at our snow/milk obsession, we are serious about ensuring your family is ready for winter weather. And with the season’s first winter storm on the horizon, now is the time to review those emergency plans and update those supply kits that may have been depleted during recent months.
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) are becoming an increasing important part of the preparedness culture and emergency response efforts in North Carolina. (Above: CERT representative engages with FEMA teams at the State Emergency Operations Center)
Encountering an active assailant is not a situation anyone wants to be in, but it is something we need to be prepared for. That’s exactly what NC first responders across several North Carolina counties have been doing this summer. The goal of these drills is to test emergency responders’ abilities to react and recover during an active shooter scenario and practice lifesaving measures.
During a visit to Robeson and Columbus counties on Monday, Aug. 13, Gov. Roy Cooper and state emergency management officials saw first-hand the work being done to rebuild areas severely impacted by Hurricane Matthew. He stopped to visit with homeowners, see work on new affordable housing, and tour the new Fair Bluff Fire & Rescue building under construction.
Winter Weather Preparedness Week is Dec. 3-9
While most of us have yet to see any snow, sleet, or freezing rain this year, winter is approaching fast and emergency officials are urging residents to prepare.