Putnam County will join the Putnam County Schools and Tennessee Tech to further emergency safety across the county.
The Assistant Director for Education Safety will focus on emergency operations and school safety. Putnam County Emergency Management Director Brandon Smith said the cost would be split three ways. Smith quoted Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris about the need for the position.
“You know, anything we can do that secures the safety of our school students, our Tennessee Tech students, and our faculties and staff is certainly worthwhile,” Smith said.”This seems like a very small investment to me for us to make to potentially have a really big impact.”
Smith said he would like to have the position filled by January 1. Smith said the position would act as a liaison for the county, county schools, and Tennessee Tech.
“They’ll interface with the private schools and institutions, community college as well,” Smith said. “Subject matter expert on school safety issues, whether it’s collegiate level or it’s at the K-12 school level, there’ll be an integrated liaison for key resources available. Then, for Tennessee Tech, they have a couple of key factors they would like for them to oversee with the emergency operations plan and the emergency preparedness task force that I currently chair. For the school system, there’ll be a constant contact there for the emergency operations center, as well as maintaining the Save Act Grant and the documentation that goes along with that, and upgrading the school system’s emergency operations plan as needed.”
Smith said the startup cost is estimated to be around $20,000-$25,000, which he has already accounted for by decreasing spending on other projects. Smith said the Administrative Oversight Committee will be the key to the success of the position and ensure the position is worth the investment..
“The Administrative Oversight Committee will be a member of the school system,” Smith said. “It’ll be a member of Tennessee Tech and myself who will make sure that we identify the goals and objectives for that person. We will meet regularly as we start that position to figure out what they’ll do.”