Tim Suter, Director of Emergency Services

The activities of the Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security include the planning, coordination, and implementation of all Emergency Management and Homeland Security related activities for Roane County. The foundation for this authority is derived from Tennessee Code Annotated 58-2-101 through TCA 58-2-124, Emergency Management, as well as federal laws and regulations, Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act (SARA) Title III, and the Homeland Security Act.

The Office of Emergency Services is responsible for controlling the response to emergencies within their jurisdiction. TCA 58-2-110 requires counties to develop a county emergency management plan that is consistent with the Tennessee Emergency Management Plan and maintain an emergency management program to ensure an effective response and recovery.

Mission Statement:
To lessen the effects of a disaster on the lives and property of the people of Roane County through leadership, coordination, and support in the four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

Roane County created a Civil Defense Organization on July 2, 1957, with John C. Gower as the first director.
Currently, Tim Suter is the Director of the Office of Emergency Services.  The Director oversees a staff of five (5) full-time and one (1) volunteer staff member.  All Emergency Management staff receive training in emergency and disaster response through classroom instruction and full-scale exercises.