Tennessee is beefing up its emergency response teams, and they're looking for a few good hands to help out in the process. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) recently detailed its push to strengthen specialized capabilities throughout the state, ranging from Land Search Teams to Urban Search & Rescue Teams. In a recent article published on TEMA's website, the agency outlined a significant move towards "creating a truly collaborative, statewide, all-hazards environment."
The effort is multi-pronged and includes a Phase II evaluation for the Tennessee Task Force 2 – Urban Search & Rescue team. TEMA facilitated this alongside an impressive roster of statewide partners, including members from Tennessee Task Force 1 US&R. With a focus on recruitment for All-Hazards Incident Management Teams (AHIMT), TEMA emphasized the need for "recruiting the right people, with the right experience, attitudes, and character to participate in these team structures." These new structures are designed to support various types of emergency responses, a necessity in the diverse and unpredictable realm of crisis management.
Interested parties can apply to the AHIMT program through the TEMA website, as outlined by the agency. The Tennessee Incident Management Qualification System (TIMQS) is an integral part of the equation, helping align personnel with the requisite team structure and providing needed training and exercise opportunities to foster growth and development.
For those looking to enhance their skills, TEMA has a slew of courses on tap. "SAR 101 Search Operations" and "SAR 125 GPS/Land Navigation" are just the beginning. There’s also "SAR 110 Basic Visual Tracking" and "SAR 201 Managing Search Operations" for those looking to delve deeper. H218 Hazmat Awareness offers crucial skills to those who might be the first on the scene of a hazardous materials incident. The courses are scheduled across various counties in Tennessee, with some starting as soon as July 2025. TEMA's website houses all the details for registering and course prerequisites for those interested in honing their emergency response prowess.
TEMA's initiatives reflect a deep-seated commitment to bolstering the safety network across the state. As they strive towards a robust and inter-supportive response landscape, it’s clear that investing in hands-on training and a diverse recruitment strategy are key focal points in their wider strategy. The multi-agency collaboration and specialized courses on offer appear to be significant steps toward TEMA's goal of protecting and serving the Tennesseans in times of dire need.
