Media invited to observe Interoperable Communications exercise in Knoxville
Thursday, April 15, 2010 | 10:59am
First responders from 17 counties, 9 state agencies participating in full-scale drill
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency is holding the third and final series of a state-wide exercise designed to improve interoperable communications between local, state and federal agencies when responding to a major disaster. The exercise will start on April 20 with a series of classroom sessions and move to a full-scale exercise on April 21.
MEDIA Opportunity
Date: Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Location: Chilhowee Park
2201 East Magnolia Ave.
Knoxville, TN
On-Site Contact for media: Jeremy Heidt
615-741-0482
jheidt@tnema.org
Members of the media are encouraged to attend the exercise between the hours of 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 21. You will be able to observe the more than 100 first responders from various jurisdictions operating equipment from more than a dozen communications vehicles or mobile command platforms.
Interoperability is more than a fancy buzz-word; it means knowing how to use what you have to talk to the people that show up during an emergency. TEMA is committed to ensuring that state agencies and local governments can take full advantage of the communications assets that currently reside in each group to successfully manage the challenges faced during large disasters.
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