New Stations Spark Record Cookeville Firefighter Applications
The construction of two new fire stations in Cookeville has led to a record-breaking surge in firefighter applications. Battalion Chief Cliff Venters said the department is currently finishing final punch list items for Station 3 and expects Station 2 on North Washington to be completed within the next six weeks. “This last process, we got […]
Cookeville Wins State Award For Behavioral Health Initiative
Cookeville received the Excellence in Fire Service award from the Tennessee Municipal League for a program that pairs emergency responders with mental health professionals to handle behavioral health crises. The Cookeville Community Response program involves a partnership between the Cookeville Fire Department, Cookeville Police Department, NAMI Tennessee, and Volunteer Behavioral Health Services. The initiative aims […]
Cookeville Officials Lift Outdoor Burn Ban For Residents
Cookeville officials lifted the local outdoor burn ban following recent rainfall and the expectation of more precipitation throughout the week. Cookeville Fire Officials said burn permits will be issued as weather conditions allow. Officials said the previous ban on open burning was intended to help reduce the risk of wildfires. Officials said the rain of […]
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 […]
Vehicle Fire: Get Out, Beware Electronic Locks, Stay Away
Interstate 40 slowed by vehicle fires, like the one Sunday, something the Cookeville Fire Department deals with fairly consistently. Cookeville Fire Chief Benton Young said on average, his fire department responds to one or two vehicle fires per week. “I think it’s just more so people have, everybody has a camera today, and it’s, you know, […]
Fire Chief: Christmas Tree Fires Common In January
More than one-third of house fires nationwide in January originate with Christmas trees. Cookeville Fire Chief Benton Young said live Christmas tree fires are fairly common. Young said trees roots tend to die and the trees completely dry out. “They’re not able to pull up the water as they should in nature, so they dry […]
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 […]
Growing Needs Lead Cookeville To Invest In Paramedics
The growing need for paramedics and the difficulty in keeping them, leading Cookeville to increase paramedic wages by some $5,000 in the new fiscal year. City Manager James Mills said medical calls make up most fire calls received by the city. He said he hopes to have a paramedic available during every shift. “It’s hard […]
