Emergency Operations
Public
Works has long been 
a leader in Emergency Management activities
in Nashville. Anything from snow and ice wreaking havoc
on city streets, to the devastation brought about by a tornado
can bring Public Works into action. But the changes in our
country brought about by the terrorist attacks on 9/11 increased
the role and demands of Metro Public Works in order to deal
with the potential of a terrorist threat in addition to
natural disasters. And with this new realization comes increased
responsibility. President George W. Bush formally recognized
this responsibility when he issued Presidential Directive
HSPD-8 in 2003, which declared Public Works Employees as
“First Responders.”
Personnel
from Public Works currently serve as Emergency Services
Coordinators for the Office of Emergency Management (OEM);
are a part of the Metro Crisis Action Team; play a lead
role in the Metro Urban Search and Rescue Team Policy Group;
and participate in the Homeland Security Response, Planning,
and Education Teams. In addition, working with others in
the same field, Metro Public Works personnel serve on the
American Public Works Association Emergency Management Committee.
As part of Nashville’s overall Emergency Management Plan and operating under the National Incident Management System (NIMS), Public Works is the primary agency responsible for the city’s Infrastructure and Transportation in the event of disaster, whether natural or man-made. Some of these responsibilities include:
Conduct damage assessments
- Perform restoration of roadways and bridges
- Provide traffic control devices, street closures
and detours
- Oversight of traffic management
- Give support and assistance in building demolition
activities
- Assist in containment and support Hazardous Material
Operations
- Perform logistical assistance for emergency operations
- Management of debris removal
In
addition to these primary functions, Metro Public Works provides
the following support functions to other departments and agencies:
- Operations Concepts
- Firefighting
- Information and Planning
- Resource Support
- Search and Rescue
- Environmental Response
- Law Enforcement
- Donations and Volunteer Activities
- Animal Housing and Care
Specific Programs developed by Public Works to address these responsibilities include:
Hazardous Materials Team
Roadway Incident Response Units
Snow and Ice Removal
Traffic Operations and Response
Urban Search and Rescue Team
Debris Management
Homeland Security Protection, Training, and Response
Team
Public
Works is committed to serving the citizens of Nashville and
Davidson County in the event of an emergency. We are equally
committed to ensuring that our employees receive the training
and resources needed so they can respond appropriately. By
planning and preparing for the unforeseen, Public Works will
be there when needed. Working hand in hand with other departments,
agencies and private industry, we will recover from emergency
events yet to come.