Putnam 911 System Speeding Up Dispatch Process
Putnam County’s new 911 system has sped up the process for connecting callers to responders. 911 Director Penny Foister said it has been a smooth transition over the last three months, with only a few speed bumps. Foister said the biggest benefit is they can now connect callers to responders who used to be more […]
White County Emergency Appreciation Day Building Community Connection
Emergency Services Appreciation Day in White County will give the community the chance to build relationships Friday. The July 30 event is being put on by American Legion Post 99 and the White County Anti-Drug Coalition. Post Commander Ron Lapierre said agencies from the local rescue squad to overdose prevention specialists will be in attendance […]
Overton Considering Its Options To Fill County Positions
Overton County, like many Upper Cumberland Counties are struggling to find and retain employees. County Executive Ben Danner said there was a time when the benefits included with a county job were viewed highly. However, with the push to raise wages in the private sector even falling flat in some industries, it is difficult to […]
Van Buren County Passes Budget And Tax Rate, Mayor Optimistic
Van Buren County has approved its final budget and property tax rate for the fiscal year. Mayor Greg Wilson said the comptroller’s office gave a tax rate recommendation of $2.3992, which the county rounded to $2.40. Wilson said this was the rate necessary to maintain current revenues. Wilson said he’s optimistic about revenues. “In the […]
Cumberland E-911 Boosting Communications Across The County
Cumberland County E-911 is undertaking major changes to improve emergency services across the county. Director Eric Ritzman said that among those changes, is a new website. Ritzman said the site has launched and gives residents a survey to provide needed information before an emergency happens. “If they have someone living there that has dementia or […]
New Cumberland EMS Team For Faster Care In Hostile Situations
The Cumberland County EMS team wants to save more lives through the creation of the region’s first Tactical EMS team. The team will go with SWAT teams into tactical situations, like school shootings or hostage situations, to provide more immediate care. Paramedic Training Officer and Special Ops Unit Commander Daniel Coleman said the formation of […]
Putnam 911 Looking To Add Two Dispatchers For Call Volume Increase
Putnam County 911 will look to increase its department by adding two full-time dispatchers. Director Penny Foister said if the employees are included in the county budget this would bring the dispatch staff to 14. Foister said that calls are increasing across the board and funds are finally available to add staff. “We get money […]
Rise In Putnam Co. EMS Calls
Putnam County’s EMS has seen a 7 percent increase in calls over the last year. Putnam County Chief of EMS Tommy Copeland said the reasons for the increase in call volume can be attributed to a number of things, ranging from population increase, to calls for overdoses, to simple convalescent transportation. Copeland said that despite […]
Fentress Co. EMS Director Wants Upgrades
Fentress County Interim EMS Director Jonathan Beaty’s temporary contract is set to expire Tuesday. Beaty told county commissioners Thursday night that if a new agreement for his salary can not be met, Tuesday will be his last day. “The $65,000 for my salary, I am not pending on that,” Beaty said. “If you don’t think […]
Overton EMA Reflects On Ice Storm Aftermath
The Overton-Pickett County E911 Board met for the first time since the February ice storm. Overton EMA Director Chris Masiongale reflected on the efforts during and after the storm to help the county. Masiongale said that throughout this time he never asked for assistance that someone was not willing to provide at a moments notice. […]
