Safe Places Program Expanding To Jackson

Tennessee’s Safe Places Program wants to expand to Jackson County and the county is looking for churches to participate as official storm shelters.

The Safe Places Bill passed in 2023, removing liability for churches willing to serve as shelters during severe weather. Jackson County Emergency Management Agency Public Information Officer Derek Woolbright said the county does not have many places to go to seek shelter.

“We had also had some churches over the last year or two that have reached out to us saying hey we would like to do this,” Woolbright said.  “But we would like to know some of more the particulars about where we stand as far as the legalities of it and what will be required or not required of them so this was just a great opportunity for us to get on board.”

Woolbright said the program will provide a more accessible list for the public to know the many shelters they can seek during severe weather. Woolbright said the county and various churches will attend a meeting on Thursday to gather more information about the program.

“The meeting is just basically to discuss the ins and outs of the program,” Woolbright said. “And to discuss the safe place program with the members of the church that are there and kind of explain to them what it is and then also to  gather information from them as far as what types of church buildings they have what shelters they will be able to provide.”

Woolbright said the program will be a major benefit for the citizens of Jackson County.

“I think in the area we live in and the severe weather we see pretty consistently I think it’s always a concern,” Woolbright said. “It’s been an initiative of our department over the last year or two to try to increase that pre-planned readiness.”

Woolbright said during a storm is not the best time to wonder about what you have available for shelter within the county. Woolbright said they are still encouraging more churches to participate and are welcoming any church that is willing to be a part of it.

The meeting will be held on Thursday at the Center Grove Community Center at 4pm.