Partnership Aims to Strengthen Communication

Published February 14, 2014

Williamson County Schools officials are joining forces with local agencies to improve communication in the event of a crisis. Leaders from the district's safety/security and communications departments have begun a partnership with public information officials from state and local fire, police and emergency management agencies, as well as Williamson Medical Center.

The group held its first meeting November 12, giving participants a chance to meet one another, discuss training opportunities and complete a capabilities assessment. Each member of the group also pledged to complete an online study course for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) National Incident Management System, which provides a nationwide template to enable government, private-sector and non-governmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents.

A second meeting was held February 11 in which the group discussed participation in future training drills and exercises. Franklin Police Sergeant Charles Warner, who also serves as President of the National Information Officers Association, says the goal of the group is to build relationships and procedures that will allow each agency to better work together in times of need.

“Timely, accurate information for our customers is their right and our responsibility,” said Warner, speaking of greater Williamson County residents and government agency public information officers. “The talent that each of our agency spokespersons brings to the table makes for one powerful, collaborative, committed information source. It’s about getting the right information, to the right people, at the right time. Our focus is seamlessly working together to get it right when safety is an issue, and seconds count.”

Members of the group include Warner, Eric Johnson and Ryan Schuman, Franklin Police; Sharon Puckett, Williamson County Sheriff's Office; Diane Giddens, Williamson County Mayor's Office; Jeremy Heidt, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency; Dalya Qualls, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security; Jamie Melton, Franklin Fire; Russell Peterson, Brentwood Fire; Mac Purdy, Williamson County Emergency Management Agency; Tommy Walsh, Brentwood Police; Brian Goss, Brentwood Fire; Justin Whitwell and Michael Foster, Spring Hill Police; Bill Jorgensen, Williamson County Office of Public Safety; Mike Fletcher, Carol Birdsong, Lydia Glynn and Cory Mason, Williamson County Schools.