MEDIA ADVISORY
Emergency Response Capabilities Displayed
WHO: Emergency managers and first responders from more than 20 western counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will demonstrate various equipment and assets used in disaster response. This event is designed to help educate local elected officials and media about the state’s emergency management capabilities. This is NOT open to the public.
WHEN: Thursday, June 25 10 a.m to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 1751 E. Marion Street, Shelby, NC 28152
WHAT: Featured resources will include:
Joint Mobile Operations Center – used to establish a temporary command site for large response events such as widespread tornado outbreak or U.S. Open tournament.
Urban Search and Rescue Team – USAR teams respond to various structural collapses from buildings, to tunnels and more. Display includes specialized tools and equipment used in technical searches, breaching, breaking and shoring of collapsed structures and personal protective equipment for the rescuers.
HazMat Regional Response Team – one of 7 teams in N.C. outfitted to respond to significant hazmat incidents with technical support, manpower, specialized equipment and supplies.
Bomb Squad – Detection and disposal equipment including a bomb robot.
Mass Casualty Trailer – cache of equipment to support a shelter for medically fragile people; contains wheelchairs, cots, walkers, IV poles and blankets
Ambulance Bus – specially-outfitted bus capable of transporting 20 injured persons simultaneously
Companion Animal Mobile Equipment Trailer - one of 45 trailers that are strategically positioned around the state to quickly establish animal shelters adjacent to general shelters. Each trailer contains crates, feeding bowls, leashes, collars and other supplies needed to temporarily shelter animals in emergencies.
Background: North Carolina formed nine domestic preparedness regions (DPR) in 2007 to develop and expand coordinated prevention, preparedness, response and recovery capabilities for natural and man-made hazards. Each region is comprised of 10-13 counties with 10 core members who represent various disciplines such as: municipal police and fire, rural fire, hospitals, emergency management, public health, rescue, public works, emergency medical services and sheriff’s departments. The DPRs also are used to prioritize federal homeland security expenditures for local agencies. Federal funding (via the U.S. Departments of Public Health, and Homeland Security) expenditures for recommended DPR projects is submitted to and approved by the State Emergency Response Commission.
Participating agencies : N.C. Emergency Management; Emergency Management agencies from Cleveland, Alexander, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, McDowell, Lincoln and Wilkes counties; Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh Fire Departments; NC Air National Guard; Metrolina Healthcare Preparedness Coalition.
ON SITE CONTACT: (704) 472-3648 – Perry Davis, Cleveland Co. EM