Dust-Filled Bathroom Fans Spark Recent Cookeville Fires
A recent string of residential fires caused by bathroom exhaust fans has prompted a new push by Cookeville Fire Department Officials on the hidden hazards of the common household appliance. Cookeville Fire Department Chief Benton Young said the incidents involved different brands and models. Young said each fire originated in an older unit where the […]
Heightened Fire Risks Prompt Cookeville Burn Permit Ban
The Cookeville Fire Department has suspended the issuance of all burn permits due to a prolonged lack of rainfall and an increase in local fire activity. Cookeville Fire Department Chief Benton Young said the decision follows several weeks without significant precipitation. The department monitors local vegetation and weather patterns to determine when the risk of […]
Cookeville Considers Crisis Response Program Continuation
The Cookeville City Council discussed the future of the Cookeville Community Response Program during Monday’s work session, weighing whether to continue the initiative. City Manager James Mills said the city has partnered with Volunteer Behavioral Health through a grant to provide a response team rather than police to respond to non-violent mental crisis events. Cookeville […]
Cookeville Fire Receives $195K Grant For Hazard Equipment
The Cookeville Fire Department has been awarded an estimated $195,000 grant from TEMA to purchase additional hazardous materials response equipment. Cookeville Fire Chief Benton Young said equipment will consist of two meters that will be used to test hazardous materials and some training props. Young said the fire department is hoping to use the equipment […]
Cookeville Applying For $190K Grant For Hazardous Materials
Cookeville applying for an estimated $190,000 grant in hopes of purchasing new training equipment for the city’s fire department. Cookeville Fire Chief Benton Young said the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant is administered by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. With I-40 and Highway 111 being popular routes to transport hazardous chemicals, Young said the fire […]
City of Cookeville in discussions to increase funding for Fire Department Paramedics
Cookeville Fire Chief Benton Young said the fire department appreciates the city’s discussions about increased funding for paramedic pay rates. The department responded to almost 2,000 calls for medical services in 2022 – more calls than for typical fire issues. He said all the firefighters are medically trained with advanced EMT certification. “We offer a […]
Cookeville City Council To Consider Additional Vehicles For Fire Department
Cookeville City Council will consider the purchase of additional vehicles for the fire department in the current fiscal year’s budget. Fire Chief Benton Young said he was able to find two Ford Explorer-type vehicles available within two weeks from a dealer in Georgia. Young said if the city does not purchase the vehicles now, the […]
Lightning Strike Likely Responsible For Willow Ave. Complex Fire
It sounded like a bomb. That’s how one witnesses described the lightning strike at Cookeville’s Eagle Summit Apartments Friday morning. That strike started a fire that led to the evacuation of the buildings. No injuries reported. Fire Chief Benton Young said the roof sustained significant fire damage. The living areas suffered water damage with the […]
Cookeville FD Responds To Best Western Fire Sunday
One victim from a fire at S. Jefferson Avenue’s Best Western Hotel Sunday evening according to Cookeville Fire Department. Chief Benton Young said the police department was the first to arrive on the scene. He said responders encountered an upstairs room with heavy smoke coming from it. Young said they pulled one victim from the […]
Cookeville FD To Start Christmas Cheer Fire Engine Drives
Cookeville Fire Department hoping to get folks in the holiday spirit this season with some festive fire truck visits. Chief Benton Young said the plan is to decorate one of the department’s reserve fire trucks with Christmas lights and drive around to neighborhoods, senior homes, and the hospital. “It’s a great opportunity for us as […]
