Putnam County 911 - TN

05/28/2026

Bear sightings have been common the last week or so, but this is normal activity according to the TWRA. If you see a bear, please do not approach or attempt to feed. Please do not call 911 to report bear sightings. Contact the TWRA office at 931-484-9571

05/18/2026

ROAD CLOSURE

Baxter Rd. between Ditty Rd. and Academy is closed due to an overturned semi truck. The closure is expected to last most of the day. Please use an alternate route.

04/23/2026

During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible businesses and individuals who showed their support for Putnam County 911, they are listed below:

Panera Bread
Crumbl
Food City
Food Lion
Subway
Cash Express, LLC
Upper Cumberland Family Justice
Vanderbilt LifeFlight
Erlanger LifeForce
ocharleys.cookeville
Outback Steakhouse - National
LongHorn Steakhouse
Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen
drakescomeplay
El Tapitio
Willow Grove Marina
Algood Fire Department
NashComm
All adopt-a-dispatcher sponsors

Your generosity, kindness, and recognition mean more than words can express. Because of you, our telecommunicators felt appreciated, encouraged, and reminded that the work they do each day truly matters. Thank you!

04/12/2026

In recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we proudly honor and express our deepest appreciation to the dedicated dispatchers of Putnam County 911.

Each day, they serve as the vital first point of contact in times of crisis—demonstrating professionalism, composure, and unwavering commitment. Their ability to manage high-pressure situations with clarity and precision ensures that responders are equipped with the critical information they need to serve and protect the community.
Their contributions, though often unseen, are indispensable and deeply valued. This week, and every week, we thank them for their service, their sacrifice, and their continued excellence.

We are proud to stand beside them and grateful for all that they do for Putnam County.

04/08/2026

Adopt-A-Dispatcher is in full swing!

We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has already adopted one of our dispatchers—we are incredibly appreciative and truly blown away by the support from our community.

We still have a few dispatchers left to be adopted! If you’d like to participate, now is a great opportunity to show them just how much they are valued for the hard work they do every day behind the scenes.

Please reach out to Drew Swink if you are interested at [email protected]

Your support means more than you know

03/30/2026

In celebration of the upcoming National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, Putnam County is inviting the community to help recognize the critical work of our Emergency Communications (E-911) dispatch team by participating in the Adopt-A-Dispatcher program.
Community members, local businesses, and organizations can show their appreciation by emailing Drew Swink at [email protected] to be matched with a member of the Putnam County E-911 team. Adopters will receive a short list of their dispatcher’s favorite things to help inspire thoughtful expressions of appreciation. These gestures can include handwritten notes, drawings, snacks, or small tokens of thanks. All items will be shared with dispatchers during Telecommunicators Week as a way of showing heartfelt community support.
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week will take place April 12 through April 18. This week is observed nationwide to recognize the men and women who serve as the vital link between our community and emergency responders. Their dedication, professionalism, and calm under pressure help ensure that help is always just a call away.
Putnam County E-911 encourages everyone to take part in recognizing these unseen first responders who work around the clock to keep our community safe.

03/16/2026

Safe Place Shelters in Green will be open during the Tornado Watch.

03/16/2026

WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION FOR WATCH 59
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
822 PM CDT SUN MAR 15 2026

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 59 IN
EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM CDT MONDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN TENNESSEE THIS WATCH INCLUDES 38 COUNTIES

IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE

BEDFORD CANNON CHEATHAM
CLAY COFFEE CUMBERLAND
DAVIDSON DE KALB DICKSON
FENTRESS GILES GRUNDY
HICKMAN HOUSTON HUMPHREYS
JACKSON LAWRENCE LEWIS
MACON MARSHALL MAURY
MONTGOMERY OVERTON PERRY
PICKETT PUTNAM ROBERTSON
RUTHERFORD SMITH STEWART
SUMNER TROUSDALE VAN BUREN
WARREN WAYNE WHITE
WILLIAMSON WILSON

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ALLARDT, ALTAMONT, ASHLAND CITY,
BRENTWOOD, BYRDSTOWN, CARTHAGE, CELINA, CENTERVILLE, CLARKSVILLE,
CLIFTON, COALMONT, COLLINWOOD, COLUMBIA, COOKEVILLE, CROSSVILLE,
DICKSON, DOVER, ERIN, FRANKLIN, GAINESBORO, GALLATIN,
GOODLETTSVILLE, GORDONSVILLE, HARTSVILLE, HENDERSONVILLE,
HOHENWALD, JAMESTOWN, KINGSTON SPRINGS, LA VERGNE, LAFAYETTE,
LAWRENCEBURG, LEBANON, LEWISBURG, LINDEN, LIVINGSTON, LOBELVILLE,
MANCHESTER, MCEWEN, MCMINNVILLE, MOUNT JULIET, MURFREESBORO,
NASHVILLE, NEW JOHNSONVILLE, PALMER, PEGRAM, PULASKI,
SHELBYVILLE, SMITHVILLE, SMYRNA, SOUTH CARTHAGE, SPARTA, SPENCER,
SPRINGFIELD, TENNESSEE RIDGE, TULLAHOMA, WAVERLY, WAYNESBORO,
AND WOODBURY.

03/02/2026

Putnam County 911 is accepting applications for PRN dispatchers. To apply visit www.putnamcountytn.gov/employment-opportunities

02/24/2026

Derek is a great addition to the Putnam
County Emergency Management Agency team and will do great in this new role!

Derek Woolbright Named Assistant Director of Education Safety

Derek Woolbright has been hired as the Assistant Director of Education Safety for the Putnam County Emergency Management Agency. Woolbright, who has served Jackson County emergency services for more than 17 years, joins the EMA team in a new shared role that splits responsibilities between Tennessee Tech University and Putnam County Schools. He will assist both organizations to be better prepared for emergencies, and will assist with ensuring an all-hazards approach to safety for students, faculty, staff, and visitors of their respective campuses.

PCEMA Director Brandon Smith commented, “When we envisioned this position, Derek was exactly the type of candidate we had in mind. He brings all the qualifications we specified and were hoping for. His experience and personality uniquely position him as a team builder, to bring stakeholders to the table for training, planning, and response to incidents in the education environment.”

Woolbright commented he was impressed to see this position and the collaboration it took to make it happen. “I am thankful to be a part of Putnam County EMA in this new and exciting role. I commend all agencies involved for recognizing the importance of education safety and the role emergency management plays in that. I look forward to doing my part to ensure this position is beneficial to not only faculty, staff, and students, but each and every citizen of Putnam County,” he stated.

Woolbright’s career has allowed him a unique platform to train for the work he will be focusing on. He began his career with Jackson County 911 in 2009, then worked into being a reserve deputy with the sheriff’s department there, and in 2011 began working with Jackson County EMS as an EMT and later a paramedic and critical care paramedic. Throughout his time with Jackson County he also worked alongside EMA Director Keith Bean on many projects and responses, providing a wide variety of emergency services experience.

The son of an educator and school facilities supervisor, Woolbright understands the education system and the unique challenges faced in keeping students safe. “I have always had a passion for education, with my mom being a teacher and principal and my dad working in school facilities, but once Director Bean started letting me work in the schools with our public education programs I was hooked. It is really nice for me to be able to mix my work passion with the dinner table conversations growing up – I’m really looking forward to this.”

“We know that part of the reason students choose Tennessee Tech is the sense of safety and welcome they feel both on campus and in the broader Cookeville community,” said Tennessee Tech President Phil Oldham. “Working alongside University Police, the new assistant director of education safety will be an integral part of our strategy to maintain and build on the safe university environment students have come to know and expect. We are grateful to Brandon Smith and our partners at the Putnam County Emergency Management Agency for their leadership throughout this process and look forward to Derek’s service to our campus.”

“The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. We are excited to welcome Derek Woolbright into this important role and to strengthen our partnership with Putnam County EMA and Tennessee Tech University," said Putnam County Director of Schools Corby King. "Derek’s extensive background in emergency services and his understanding of the educational environment make him uniquely qualified to help us continue building a proactive, all-hazards approach to school safety. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to preparedness, prevention, and protecting every student in Putnam County Schools.”

Woolbright has already started working with University and School System leadership to identify their priorities and begin working to immediately make an impact enhancing plans for each.

Please help us welcome Derek to the team!