ATTLEBORO -- The city's health department will soon be authorized to provide aid to other communities and receive aid from other communities in emergency situations, much as fire and police departments have done for years.

A mutual-aid pact with area municipalities is expected to be approved by the city council next week.

The move is prompted by the state's Department of Public Health and aims to create coordinated and effective action when a city or town is facing a health threat too big to handle alone, city health officer Dr. Christopher Quinn said.

For complete story, see today's Sun Chronicle.