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Council committee approves MOU allowing Tennessee Department of Safety personnel to train with Nashville Fire Department amid privacy concerns
Summary
A memorandum of understanding to permit Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security personnel to participate in EMT training with the Nashville Fire Department passed the committee after debate about access to personal information and liability; the measure passed with opposition and an abstention.
The Metropolitan Nashville Public Health & Safety Committee recommended approval of RS2025-1440, a memorandum of understanding between the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) and the Metropolitan Nashville Fire Department (NFD) to permit TDOSHS personnel to participate in NFD-provided EMT training. The committee recommendation recorded 6 in favor, 2 opposed and 1 abstention.
Council member Suwara voiced opposition on the record, citing concern about TDOSHS having access to people’s information and entering private homes, and said she could not support the MOU in light of recent actions by the state agency. “I cannot support this,” Suwara said in committee. She asked whether NFD could withdraw from the agreement if TDOSHS did not meet obligations; the fire department response (entered earlier in budget committee) was that NFD could pull out if the partner did not comply.
Other council members acknowledged the confidentiality provisions in the agreement, which state that the fire department will not release personal information obtained during performance of the training and that TDOSHS personnel are bound by the agreement’s restrictions. Committee members who supported the measure cited the training value for emergency response preparedness and the ability to terminate participation if contractual obligations were not met.
The vote was recorded after brief discussion: committee leadership noted two opposing votes and one abstention; the recommendation carries the matter forward with a committee record that includes stated concerns about privacy and data sharing.
