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Preparedness

Public Health Preparedness & Response

Guides & Regulations

NC DHHS Guides for Local Agencies

• Active Surveillance Forms for Local Agencies - Downloadable versions of the forms (PDF and Word) and instructions for use.
• Guidance for the Administration of Potassium Iodide (KI) for Emergency Workers, Institutionalized Persons and the General Public (PDF, 19KB)
• Information for Schools Regarding the Potassium Iodide Program - Fact sheets, forms and program background information for school administrators.
• State Laboratory of Public Health Forms and Instructions - Instructions for specimen collection and submittal, ordering specimen shipping supplies, forms related to chain of custody and testing for biological agents, suspicious substances, emerging pathogens, and virus cultures.
• Suspicious Substance Response Guidelines (PDF, 2.6MB) - For Public Health, Emergency Responders, and Law Enforcement. Includes four (4) attachments that are also available individually:
  • Attachment A: Characteristics of Suspicious Packages and Letters (PDF)
  • Attachment B: Lab Submission Form (PDF)
  • Attachment C: Sampling Instructions (PDF)
  • Attachment D: FBI 12 Step Process for Evidence Sampling (PDF)
  • Attachment E: Chain of Custody Form (PDF)
  • Attachment F: Fentanyl Safety for First Responders (PDF)
• Respiratory Protection Program Guidance (PDF, 151 KB) - It is important for employers to understand that use of N95 respirators in the occupational setting is regulated by the NC Department of Labor, and requires employees who use respirators be included in a Respiratory Protection Program.
  • Written RPP Template (Docx, 195 KB) - A written plan template developed for agencies using disposable N95 respirators in the health care setting.
  • Medical Evaluation Questionnaire (PDF, 82 KB) - OSHA required medical evaluation questionnaire to be completed by employee before they wear a respirator in an occupational setting.
  • Medical Approval Form (PDF, 45 KB) - Medical approval form to be completed by provider reviewing the medical questionnaire with determination on employee’s ability to wear a respirator.
  • Annual Fit Testing Training Procedure for Healthcare Settings (PowerPoint, 10 MB) – A resource for qualitative fit testing.

Regulations

Biological Agents Registry

Potentially dangerous biological materials that are possessed and maintained in North Carolina must be registered with the State. Visit our Biological Agents Registry page for program information, forms and instructions for registering a select agent.

State Laws and Rules

North Carolina public health laws are contained in N.C. General Statute 130A - Public Health. Some key items concerning public health preparedness and response include:

• A Terrorist Incident Using Nuclear, Biological or Chemical Agents - Article 22, Sections 475-485:
  • Suspected terrorist attack: 130A-475
  • Access to health information: 130A-476
  • Abatement of public health threat: 130A-477
  • Tort liability: 130A-478
  • Biological agents registry; rules; penalties: 130A-479
  • Emergency department data reporting: 130A-480
  • Food defense: 130A-481
  • Vaccination program established; definitions: 130A-485
• Emergency plan for drinking water; emergency circumstances defined: § 130A-323
• Decontamination Standards for Methamphetamine Sites: § 130A-284

The rules for administering North Carolina's public health statutes are contained in Administrative Code Title 10A - Health and Human Services, Chapter 41 - Epidemiology Health. Some key items concerning public health preparedness and response include:

• Biological Agents Registry: Subchapter A, Sections .0901-.0907
• Methamphetamine Decontamination: Subchapter D, Sections.0101-.0105