Raleigh Leaders Have Contingency Plan If War Breaks Out With Iraq

officials are working on a plan for the city if and when the United States goes to war with Iraq.

Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker said the city and North Carolina has not received any kinds of threats, but he said they are ready. He said officials are working with local colleges, schools and law enforcement to coordinate mutual aid.

The Raleigh Fire Department has been involved in multijurisdictional training with surrounding areas such as Durham and Chapel Hill. They are preparing for a potential biological or chemical attack as well as a building collapse or explosion.

If war does break out in Iraq, city government would set up a command post for the first 72 hours of the conflict. The command post would be located in the basement of City Hall and would be staffed by police, fire and other agencies to field phone calls.