As Nashville gears up for CMA Fest 2025, the city’s Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) is taking no chances with public safety. Due to the high influx of visitors and the scale of the event, DEC is stepping up its game by deploying its Nashville Telecommunicator Emergency Response Team (NTERT) to ensure smooth operation and rapid emergency response. According to an announcement made by the department, NTERT has been diligently preparing, attending several planning sessions, and liaising with key stakeholders including the Country Music Association, Metro Nashville Police Department, Nashville Fire Department, and the Office of Emergency Management.
With its reputation for hosting more than 700 annual events in Nashville, NTERT is no stranger to managing big crowds and complex situations. Assigned specifically to the CMA Fest, NTERT dispatchers will work alongside city agencies to monitor and respond to incidents, ensuring that the festival-goers have a safe experience. As stated in the official release by City of Nashville, the 911 center will remain attentive to the needs of Nashville residents not attending the event, guaranteeing that the standard of service offered remains unaltered.
Highlighting the significance of effective communication for the event’s safety, Paul McCallister, Assistant Director of Operations for DEC, underscored the role of NTERT. "CMA Fest is one of the largest events we support, and it doesn’t run safely without solid communication," he told the City of Nashville government. His team’s experienced dispatchers are pivotal in managing real-time coordination and maintaining the flow of communications under event pressure.
As part of their effort to promote smarter location sharing, DEC is urging visitors and residents to use the what3words app during the CMA Fest. This app divides the world into a grid of 3m x 3m squares, giving each square a unique combination of three words. It’s a tool for quickly and accurately communicating specific locations, which is essential in emergency situations where every second counts. The use of technology like what3words can streamline the process of locating individuals in need of assistance amidst the chaos of a major festival, especially the one located in a bustling downtown filled with attendees.
