Disaster Coordination

"Linking Citizens to Services"

The Office of Citizen Services (OCS) leads the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) in coordinating emergency services during times of disaster. As a result of the impact of Hurricanes Fran and Floyd on the citizens of North Carolina, OCS was designated by the NCDHHS Secretary Dempsey Benton to coordinate disaster efforts for the department.

OCS developed a system of divisional disaster coordinators in an effort to synchronize internal communication and response activities. Each division representative is responsible for coordinating activities within their areas of expertise. The OCS team serves as the NCDHHS central point of contact for NC Emergency Management and the central point of contact for all NCDHHS divisions and office. OCS ensures that the divisions are cooperating with each other and that critical information is shared with NCDHHS Secretary Dempsey Benton and throughout the department.

As part of the statewide SERT (State Emergency Response Team) organization, OCS works closely with other state agencies to ensure vital communication and assistance is given to the citizens of North Carolina before, during and after a disaster or emergency. In an effort to be prepared for any situation, NCDHHS disaster staff continually train using the resources of NCDHHS, the Emergency Operations Center and WEB EOC software.

OCS SERT team members participate in statewide, regional and local exercises concerning natural disasters, terrorism, bio-terrorism and nuclear events.

As a result of the ongoing terrorist threat to the United States, OCS created the Governor’s Public Health Hotline in conjunction with the North Carolina Office of the Governor and the NC Division of Public Health. Specific bioterrorism information is available through the hotline during an emergency bioterrorism event.