Emergency management chief presents 200‑page after‑action report; executive session requested

Cocke County's emergency management director presented a 200‑page after‑action report to the legislative body on Jan. 20, describing a comprehensive review of a recent large‑scale response and requesting follow‑up work to strengthen the county's basic emergency operations plan.

The director said the volume and depth of the report reflected the complexity of the operation. "This report's 200 pages — I felt like it was necessary to thoroughly document everything that happened here," the director said, adding that they had written it as if an inspector general had been sent to evaluate performance. "I didn't leave any stone unturned when it came to criticizing myself, decision making, my agency, or anything I'm responsible for."

The director noted some items have already been remedied while others will take longer. He said the county's basic emergency operations plan, required to be rewritten every five years, will be revised and resubmitted to the state later in the year after the state approves the updated content.

Commissioners and other speakers thanked the emergency management team and highlighted contributions by specific personnel. One commissioner said rapid access to water and fuel, swift‑water rescue teams and close coordination with school system staff helped prevent greater loss of life during the event. The director credited sheriff's office crews, dive teams and county fire personnel and singled out Captain Walter Cross, Captain Zach Holt, Fire Chief Cody Keyes and Deputy Randy Forbes for field leadership.

Separately, County Attorney John O'Mearney requested a brief executive session after the meeting—about 10 minutes—to discuss at least one pending lawsuit related to the county's matters; the chair acknowledged the request. No legal actions were taken on the floor during the public meeting.

The meeting record shows the after‑action report was distributed in full and certified copies were placed on file; the director said 28 certified control copies were disseminated to state and federal partners. He also said the county had received a state extension to submit revisions for the emergency operations plan and emphasized the need for a living, operational document rather than a binder that sits on a shelf.

Next steps include continued implementation of corrective actions named in the report, revisions to the basic emergency operations plan, and a brief executive session to review legal matters.