Putnam Rescue Drones Accelerate Emergency Operations
The Putnam County Rescue Squad utilizing a drone program to significantly reduce the time required for emergency search operations in remote areas. Putnam EMS Paramedic and Volunteer Drone Coordinator Stanley Vanhooser said the initiative began as technology became a game-changer for local search and rescue missions. Vanhooser said the program has grown from two pilots […]
Emergency Management Urges Residents To Prepare
Upper Cumberland residents are being encouraged to prepare now as winter weather uncertainty continues ahead of the weekend. Putnam County Emergency Management Director Brandon Smith said the most important step families can take is having conversations about personal safety and backup plans. “The best thing folks can do right now is spend some time having […]
Putnam EMS Concerned With Potential Weekend Flooding
Putnam County EMS concerned about potential flooding over the next 24 hours as a second round of rain and thunderstorms projected to move across the region. Putnam EMS Deputy Director Tyler Smith said the region is in the boundary where heavy pockets of rain can occur. Smith said the main concern is about storms that […]
Tennessee Avenue Target For Possible Putnam EMS Substation
Putnam County considering the construction of an additional substation on Tennessee Avenue to improve EMS services on the west side of the county. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said the west side is growing with more developments in that area between Cookeville and Baxter. Porter said EMS is already seeing an increase in the number […]
Putnam EMS New Effort To Carry Blood In Ambulances
The Putnam County EMS Department wants to explore carrying blood in ambulances during the new fiscal year. Putnam County EMS Chief Tommy Copeland said there are only a few ambulance services across the nation that carry blood. Copeland said carrying blood could help the department better respond to emergencies. “For people that are in really […]
Local Workforce Development Sponsors EMS Apprenticeship
Upper Cumberland Workforce Connections is helping develop Advanced EMS Apprenticeship programs across the area. Jeremiah Miller is the Assistant Director of the Upper Cumberland Workforce Development Board. He said funding came from the state’s Rural Healthcare Initiative because several area counties needed to address their EMS. Miller said apprenticeships are one of the truest forms […]
Putnam 911 Getting New GIS Admin, Sharing With EMA
Putnam County 911 creating a new GIS System Administrator position pending the County Commission’s final budget approval. Geographic Information Systems help emergency services quickly locate and respond to emergency situations. 911 Director Penny Foister said EMA Director Brandon Smith no longer has time to handle the responsibilities. “What we’re asking for, and it’s in Brandon’s […]
Putnam Looks to Replace Aging Defibrillators
Putnam County is looking to replace 12 to 15 of its public access defibrillators to avoid aging defibrillators from failing during an emergency. EMS Chief Tommy Copeland said the public accessing the defibrillators early on provides a high probability of bringing someone back in cardiac arrest. “We’ve had some good saves with people that were […]
