Public Health Preparedness OverView In November 2001, the first steps to addressing biological attacks  were made by the state of North Carolina.  The main step involved  using three million dollars from the “Rainy Day Fund” to be allocated for local public health officials.  The second step included the Division of Public Health revitalizing the  department’s disease prevention and detection infrastructure. In the Spring of 2002 the Federal Government made grant money  available for bioterrorism preparedness.  North Carolina consequently created the Office of Public Health Preparedness and  Response (PHP&R) and other advances. Locally, the Wayne County Public Health Department has been receiving grant money through the state.  As a result, employees have been training in emergency preparedness.  Furthermore, in November 2005, the Health Department hired a full time coordinator to handle all public health preparedness. Click the logo above to view our Video's on Demand Be Prepared for any Disaster National Security Threat Level Amber Alert