Tennessee Emergency Management Agency

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is an agency of Tennessee government tasked with preparing for and responding to natural and man-made disasters across the state of Tennessee. The agency is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.^[1] TEMA is a component of the Tennessee Military Department, along with the Tennessee National Guard and the Tennessee State Guard.

History

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) was established in 1951 with the primary purpose of preparing civil defense plans in the event of nuclear weapons being detonated in Tennessee during a hypothetical war between the United States and the Soviet Union. This continued to be the main focus of the agency through the 1960s as the OCD prepared the Tennessee Plan for the Management of Resources, a plan designed to manage resources after a nuclear strike. In 1984, after the Waverly, Tennessee, tank car explosion, the Office of Civil Defense was renamed the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and assigned its first civilian director.^[2]

Organizational structure

Executive Office

The Executive Office is composed of the Director of TEMA and his assistants, as well as the Assistant Agency Director for Response who oversees the Operations and Communications Branch, the Plans and Exercises Branch, the Training Branch, and regional offices.^[3]

Executive command staff

The executive command staff is composed of several executive positions given the following roles and responsibilities:^[3]

• Chief of Staff: The Chief of Staff manages the financial oversight of the agency and approves expenses and all purchases and reimbursements by the agency.
• Executive Administration Officer: The EAO handles the coordination of planning, development, and policy implementation between the departments.
• Public Safety Liaison The PSL acts as a liaison from the Director's Office to law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical response, rescue, and dispatch organizations, as well as advising regional directors.
• Public Information Officer: The PIO acts as the liaison between the Director's Office and the public, including the media.
• Human Resources Manager The HRM is responsible for managing the human resources of the agency, including hiring, firing, promoting, and transferring workers, as well as payroll and leave responsibilities. The HRM also acts as a liaison to the Military Department's Personnel Office.
• Administrative Assistant to the Director: The AAD provides administrative support to the Director of TEMA.

TEMA Departments - Branches

Operations and Communications Branch

The Operations and Communications Branch handles the coordination between different agencies during emergencies. The branch also ensures that communications are maintained during emergencies between first responders as well as the agency and the public.^[3]

Planning, Training and Exercises Branch

The Planning Training, and Exercises Branch handles the planning and implementation of exercises and simulations designed to prepare first responders both inside and outside of the agency for emergency situations. The branch also provides training on specific emergency management skills.^[3]

Grants and Programs Branch

The Grants and Programs Branch oversees all grants which are awarded to the Tennessee Management Emergency Agency, as well as the federal grants and funds which are processed through TEMA to be allocated to victims of disasters.

Agency Support Branch

The Agency Support Branch handles purchases and acquisitions for the agency, and supports day-to-day operations by maintaining the lands, vehicle fleet, information technology elements, and other equipment of the agency as well as managing the relationship between the agency and its volunteers and donors.^[3]

References

External links

• Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Official Website