Edwin Hogan, Director of Emergency Management Agency & County Fire Chief

Mission

The Cheatham County Emergency management Agency is committed to protect and serve the citizens and visitors of Cheatham County progressively; through mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery from all disasters, natural and man-made, with all available resources.

 

About the EMA Office

The EMA office is responsible for long range planning for all disasters that could affect Cheatham County. This includes updating the Cheatham County Emergency Operations Plan, the Cheatham County Hazard Mitigation Plan, and the Cheatham County Debris Removal Plan. Other responsibilities of the department include response to emergencies and disasters, making sure the office is fully staffed and that the department fulfills its mission through all available resources. The EMA Director is responsible for the development and submission of an annual budget to the county mayor and the county budget committee, The EMA budget is $119,000.00 Both the Director and the Administrative Assistant attend yearly training classes.

Tiffany Holder, Administrative Assistant

History

The Cheatham County Emergency management Agency was established by the Cheatham County Legislative body on October 17, 1988 in Ashland City, Tennessee. The agency was charged with the responsibility of preparation and readiness against all disasters, natural and man-made, to establish and coordinate emergency plans, forces, means, and resources needed in times of disaster.
Much of today’s preparedness is a result of a presidentially declared ice storm that crippled Cheatham County on February 10, 1994. This disaster lasted almost two weeks, with electricity being shut off for almost 48 hours. Since that time, the agency has progressed rapidly. A Director continues to oversee all EMA related duties. An Administrative Assistant has been hired to help with the EMA administrative duties.
The county EMA director also serves as the county fire chief. The chief oversees the county fire plan and he oversees the maintenance of fire stations and fire equipment. The fire chief assists with the county fire contracts with fire departments (Ashland City Fire Department, Kingston Springs Fire Department, Pegram Fire Department, Pleasant View Fire Department, and the Harpeth Ridge Fire department) that service all areas in the county.


The following presidentially declared disasters have affected Cheatham County:

• February 10, 1994-Ice Storm
• March 1, 1997-River Flood
• April 7, 1998-Wind Damage
• May 24,2000-Flash Flood
• April 7, 2006-Tornado
• May 1, 2010-River Flood
  
  

*The most expensive disaster for Cheatham County was the flood of May 1, 2010. This was a 500-year event that saw over 16 inches of rain fall across Cheatham County. Damages were estimated to be over 5.5 million dollars.
Equipment is another area that has been greatly improved. The county emergency operations center was completely remodeled in 2014. Two emergency response vehicles and a support vehicle have been placed into service. Three hazardous materials trailers are located across the county, a rescue boat, and a command trailer have been added. Cheatham County EMA also operates a 2,000-gallon water tanker to help with fires across the county.

 

Objective

The Cheatham County EMA is a community-wide effort to protect the lives and property of its cities, workforce, and visitors who live, work, and travel through our great county. The Cheatham County EMA is a TEAM effort made up of various county, city, state, and federal departments as well as those who volunteer their time to assist in times of an emergency. Cheatham County is threatened by various emergencies and disasters that require a response or coordination by EMA. These activities include the following:

• Aviation Emergencies                                                                                                   
• Civil Disorders
• Energy Emergencies
• Hazardous Materials Incidents
• Major Transportation Accidents
• Radiological Accidents
• Terrorism
• War
• Bomb Threats
• Dam Failures
• Explosions
• Major Fires
• Natural Disasters (Flash Floods, Foods, Snow/Ice Storms, Tornados)
• Search and Rescue
• Utility Emergencies
• Water Rescue and Evacuation

 

On December 18, 2006 The National Weather Service certified Cheatham County as a “Storm Ready County.” Cheatham County became only the 10th county in Tennessee to receive this designation.

 

Cheatham County Emergency Management is a member of:

• Emergency Management Association of Tennessee
• West Tennessee Emergency Management Association
• Cheatham County Fire Association
• Tennessee Fireman’s Association
• Tennessee Fire Chief’s Association
  
  

Cheatham County is a Storm Ready County.