The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services will use the money to improve laboratories, train doctors and scientists, upgrade equipment and prepare hospitals to treat a large influx of people in the event of a bioterrorism outbreak.
Health and Human Services officials report that North Carolina will immediately start using the first 20 percent, or $5.2 million, of its allocated bioterrorism funding.
The remaining 80 percent of the money will come after the state submits a comprehensive public health system plan to the federal government.
The U.S. Health and Human Services Department will review the plans within 30 days of its March 15 deadline for submission.
Bill Furney, spokesman for N.C. Health and Human Services, said the state's plan will include priorities such as communications and training of health officials.
"Virtually everything in our plan is stuff we have been working on for the past three years," Furney said. "It will enhance our ability to improve communications and contact between health departments, hospitals and pharmaceuticals."
In addition to the $25.9 million North Carolina will receive from Washington, D.C., Raleigh and Greensboro will each receive $200,000 in earmarked federal funds for the 2002 fiscal year.
The funding is part of a national program to improve emergency response and disaster recovery efforts in large cities. The funds are provided by the Office of Emergency Preparedness in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
State and national officials have continued to stress the importance of emergency training for police, fire and health officials in order to help guard against the occurrence of another terrorist strike.
