COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. — (WOKI / WVLT) – Cocke County emergency management officials are asking residents to help shape the county’s future disaster response efforts as they undertake a major revision of the county’s emergency operations plan.
Emergency Management Agency Director Joe Esway said emergency plans are updated every five years, but this cycle is focused on making more substantial improvements based on recent experiences responding to disasters and emergencies across the county.
Esway said the previous emergency operations plan contained extensive background information but lacked the detailed instructions emergency responders and government leaders need during a crisis. Working with guidance from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, the county has streamlined the plan while expanding supporting documents to provide more specific direction.
The revisions are being driven by lessons learned from several major incidents, including Hurricane Helene, a fire at the county recycling facility, and a significant Christmas Eve snowstorm that impacted the area.
The updated Basic Emergency Operations Plan includes 17 emergency support functions covering critical areas such as search and rescue, mass care, recovery, public safety, healthcare and food distribution.
County officials are working to identify specific community resources and needs within each category, including healthcare providers, food sources and other critical services that may be needed during an emergency.
Esway said community feedback is a key part of the process.
“Everybody’s got a different idea about what safety and security and preparation means to them,” Esway said. “And I want to hear from as many people as I can about what that looks like in their mind.”
The emergency plans are designed to guide not only emergency management personnel, but also county leaders and partner agencies responsible for responding during disasters.
As part of the review, officials are also examining emergency response gaps and advocating for the creation of Cocke County’s first dedicated hazardous materials response team.
Esway said the need is driven by the county’s transportation infrastructure and natural resources, including rail lines, Interstate 40, local rivers and portions of Douglas Lake.
“When you’ve got a piece of the railway running through the county, you’ve got a good section of Interstate 40 where a lot of trucks and goods and services are transported,” Esway said. “Not to mention, we have three rivers, waterways, that we want to protect.”
He said establishing a dedicated hazmat team would strengthen the county’s ability to respond to chemical spills and other hazardous incidents while protecting residents and the environment.
County officials encourage residents to participate in the planning process and share their perspectives on emergency preparedness and community safety.
