Homeland Security Expo Showcases Middle Tennessee Disaster Response Capabilities

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Office of Homeland Security (OHS) in conjunction with the City of Lebanon invites the public to an Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Expo on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Ward Agricultural Center located at 945 East Baddour Parkway in Lebanon. The exposition, which highlights the Nashville UASI region’s multi-discipline approach to public safety, provides the community with the opportunity to view new public safety equipment and observe live emergency response demonstrations.

 

Comprised of Cannon, Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson and Wilson counties, the Nashville UASI/Homeland Security District 5 has strengthened its abilities to detect, prevent, deter and respond to terrorist or natural disasters with some of the newest equipment and technologies available, all of which were purchased with federal homeland security funds.

 

“The UASI Expo gives Middle Tennesseans a chance to see firsthand how federal funds have been used on the local level to strengthen the capabilities of our first responders to protect our communities and families,” said Tennessee Department of Safety and Office of Homeland Security Director Dave Mitchell. “From state-of-the-art equipment to increased training for specialized response teams, the abilities of the emergency service agencies within the Nashville UASI/Homeland Security District 5 have improved significantly.”

 

UASI Expo attendees have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with representatives from emergency response agencies, learn about new public safety technologies and see live demonstrations. The Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Special Operations team will perform live an aerial rescue demonstration at noon, while public safety equipment, including mobile command posts, decontamination units, disaster medical trailers, bomb detection units and communications trailers will be on display throughout the day.

 

Each local Office of Emergency Management from the seven counties comprising the Nashville UASI/Homeland Security District 5 will participate in the Expo. Additionally, state and federal agencies participating include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), Tennessee Meth Task Force, Tennessee National Guard 45^th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team and the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security (OHS).

 

“Middle Tennessee’s first responders are incredibly dedicated and hard working,” added Commissioner Mitchell. “From fire to law enforcement and emergency management to emergency medicine, the men and women from all of the emergency service disciplines make sacrifices on a daily basis to ensure the safety and protection of us all.”

 

Refreshments provided by the City of Lebanon.