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Cumberland County emergency services report staffing, training and technology upgrades
Summary
County emergency officials updated the Emergency Services Committee on April 9 about a calm storm season, a praised TVA drill, wearable rapid‑response buttons for teachers, E‑911 staffing and performance (5.5‑second average answer time), rescue squad water‑rescue training and drone acquisition, and scheduled active‑shooter trainings.
County emergency officials outlined staffing, training and equipment updates at the Emergency Services Committee meeting on April 9, 2026; the session was not called to order because a quorum was not present.
Travis Cole, Director of Emergency Management, said the county has experienced a calm storm season so far, noted a TVA drill conducted at a local high school last July that received positive remarks in FEMA's final report, and said Cumberland County teachers will soon be equipped with wearable rapid‑response buttons supplied by Centegix.
TJ Williams, Director of Operations for E‑911, said dispatch should be fully staffed and trained again by the end of April after two long‑time dispatchers recently retired. Williams said the county renewed its contract with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and is the only county in Tennessee certified with NCMEC. He added that 99% of calls must be answered within 40 seconds and that Cumberland County's average answer time is 5.5 seconds.
Sergeant Kris Julian, speaking for the Cumberland County Rescue Squad, said the squad expects an increase in water rescues as summer approaches. He said six squad members will attend a Swift Water II class, that high‑school students and younger community members are increasingly interested in joining, and that the squad purchased an infrared drone with two certified operators and a third certification pending.
Under new and old business, officials announced active‑shooter trainings scheduled June 2 and June 4 at South Cumberland Elementary and July 1 at Stone Memorial High School. Sheriff Casey Cox said the county needs to evaluate a new body‑camera contract during next year's budget cycle.
The committee did not take formal votes on policy or procurement because there was no quorum. The meeting record shows a motion to adjourn carried and the session ended at 5:56 p.m.
