The Wilson County Joint Meeting for Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and Health/Welfare convened on August 4, 2023, to address critical staffing and operational changes regarding the county's medical examiner services.

The meeting began with a discussion about the current arrangement with Dr. Giles, the county's medical examiner, who has been managing death investigations with a budget of approximately $100,000. However, a staffing challenge arose when Jay Cook, an assistant under Dr. Giles, expressed the need for a full-time position, which could disrupt the existing workflow.

In response to this situation, the committee explored the possibility of appointing a dedicated death investigator within the Wilson County EMA. This individual would be responsible for pronouncing deaths, managing related paperwork, and ensuring compliance with necessary documentation processes. The proposal includes transferring the budget allocated to Dr. Giles to fund this new position.

The plan suggests that the death investigator would work regular hours, with provisions for three deputies to cover after-hours needs. This structure aims to streamline the process of death investigations while maintaining oversight from Dr. Giles, who would continue to sign off on all paperwork.

The committee also consulted with neighboring Rutherford County, which has implemented a similar model, and received legal approval from the county attorney, who confirmed that the proposed changes would not introduce additional liability.

Overall, the meeting concluded with a consensus on the necessity of adapting the current system to better meet the needs of the community while ensuring that all legal and operational standards are upheld. Further discussions will determine the next steps in formalizing this new staffing arrangement.