News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Putnam County looks to change the fact that there is only one established emergency shelter within the county.
EMA Director Tyler Smith said currently only the Putnam County Library is used as a designated shelter.
“We want shelters all across the county in Monterey, Baxter and here in Cookeville,” Smith said. “Great locations to have a shelter, but then again, we only have the one shelter. So that is something that we are going to try to work on in the future. Right now, we are looking at community centers. Monterey Community Center, Baxter and also Cookeville Community Center.”
Smith said in order to be considered an emergency shelter, the building needs appropriate facilities such as restrooms and kitchens. Smith said the locations being explored have those amenities.
Smith said liability is the biggest reason why more shelters are not established. Smith said several churches would be viable locations, but state law says religious groups would be responsible for any mishaps.
A missing portion for county buildings are emergency generators to guarantee power at the locations during emergencies. Smith said the county is applying for a grant to fund that initiative.
Smith said the county in the past used Tennessee Tech’s University Center and the waiting room of CRMC as emergency shelters. Smith said design changes to the university and capacity at the hospital makes the options no longer viable.
