North Carolina Healthcare Response to Hurricane Helene
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused unprecedented devastation across Western North Carolina, marking not only one of the region’s worst natural disasters, but also one of its most severe geological crises. The storm triggered widespread infrastructure failure, leaving many healthcare facilities without power, water, and communications. Road washouts further isolated communities, severely limiting access to medical care. This presentation will explore the collaborative response led by North Carolina’s Healthcare Coalitions and the North Carolina Healthcare Association to maintain continuity of care amid extreme conditions. Emphasis will be placed on the strategic coordination, resource allocation, and adaptive planning that supported healthcare delivery during and after the disaster. Lessons learned from this event provide critical insights into strengthening healthcare system resilience in the face of catastrophic infrastructure collapse.
David Marsee is an accomplished emergency management professional with over 30 years of experience in public safety, emergency response, and disaster preparedness. He currently serves as the Healthcare Preparedness Coordinator for the Duke Healthcare Preparedness Coalition, where he leads regional planning, training, and response coordination efforts across multiple healthcare organizations. In this role, he also oversees one of North Carolina’s State Medical Assistance Teams (SMAT), providing critical clinical and logistical support during major incidents and emergencies.David retired from Durham County Emergency Services after 31 years of distinguished service, culminating in his role as Senior Emergency Management Coordinator. Throughout his career, he held several key positions including Paramedic, EMS Education Specialist, Fire Captain, Assistant Fire Marshal, and Emergency Management Instructor. His broad operational background and instructional expertise have made him a sought-after leader in both emergency response and preparedness education.David holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire Science and Emergency Management from Kaplan University and a Master of Health Administration from Queens University of Charlotte. He is a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) through the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), a Master Exercise Practitioner (MEP), a Healthcare Emergency Manager – Professional through Association of Healthcare Preparedness Professionals (AHEPP), and holds additional certifications in Continuity of Operations and Infrastructure Protection.