Hancock County Emergency Management Agency - EMA

08/30/2025

First responders: Our community depends on you to keep us safe! Do you know what to do if you come into contact with a power line? Keep yourself safe with these tips:

⚡ Contact PVEC as soon as possible.
⚡ Keep the public away from the area.
⚡ Consider objects like trees, poles, cars, fences, etc. to be energized.
⚡ Do not spray water on energized lines.
⚡ Make sure lines are de-energized BEFORE a rescue.

07/03/2025

🎆 Did you know? More than 19,500 fires are started by fireworks every year. With the Fourth of July almost here, let's make sure your celebrations remain safe.

Here are some essential fireworks safety tips to keep in mind while lighting up the sky this holiday season:

✅ Read Instructions – Always check the packaging and follow instructions carefully.

✅ Be Prepared – Have a bucket of water or a hose handy for emergencies.

✅ One at a Time – Avoid lighting multiple fireworks at once and move to a safe distance immediately after lighting.

✅ Safe Handling – Keep fireworks out of pockets and never launch them from metal or glass containers.

✅ Choose the Right Spot – Make sure you're in a dry, flat, open area far from homes, dry grass, or flammable materials.

✅ Point Away – Never aim fireworks at people, pets, cars, or buildings. Safety first!

✅ Supervise – Always monitor children and pets to ensure everyone stays safe.

Keep these tips in mind, share them with your friends and family, and let's make this Fourth of July a safe and memorable one!

05/20/2025

05/20/2025

Happy EMS Week! 💪🚑

This week, let’s recognize the crews that keep this place running!

Thank you all for showing up even if you don’t feel like it. For spending hours away from your family on training days so you are prepared when a call comes out in the middle of the night and you are faced with someone else’s worst day.

Thank you for caring. For stepping up when needed, and for being the difference.

05/17/2025

Burn permits are no longer required in Tennessee as of midnight, May 15.

The Tennessee Division of Forestry requires burn permits every year from October 15 to May 15 during wildfire season. However, permits are not needed in late spring, summer, or early fall because fire risk is lower.

Remember, some local areas may still have burning restrictions, so check with your local government before lighting a fire.

Fire safety always matters. Stay smart and safe whenever you burn! 🔥

03/14/2025

We encourage all Tennesseans to monitor U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts and take preparedness steps as multiple rounds of significant severe weather are expected to impact the state from late Friday (March 14) through Saturday night (March 15).

Read more on the threat and preparedness steps here: https://www.tn.gov/tema/news/2025/3/13/tennesseans-urged-to-take-preparedness-steps-ahead-of-severe-storm-threat.html

03/08/2025

As we ‘spring forward,' it's a great time to prepare for anything in the longer days ahead.

⏰ Change the batteries in your smoke detectors and weather radios.

⏰ Check the supplies in your emergency go-kit.

⏰ Update your family emergency communications plan.

⏰ Gather important documents.

Be ready, stay safe!

03/04/2025

Burning restrictions are in place today and tomorrow due to elevated wildfire risk.

This means that we will not issue burn permits for debris or prescribed fires until the unsafe conditions resolve.

We ask that Tennesseans do not burn debris during this time to reduce the likelihood of a fire getting out of hand.

After all, escaped debris burns are the single largest cause of wildfires in our state.

Thanks and stay safe, Tennessee!

02/07/2025

Rounds of heavy rain, especially next Tuesday and Wednesday, will bring increasing flooding chances over the next week. You should be prepared for rising rivers, creeks, and streams. Have a flood safety plan if you work or live in a flood prone area.

01/09/2025

As more winter weather is expected to hit our area, our crews are ready. Are you? Here are some tips to stay prepared for winter storms.

❄️ Stay informed: Monitor your local news and radio stations for weather updates. Be sure to pay attention to local alerts so you can be prepared for what comes.
❄️ Stay home: Avoid unnecessary travel. If possible, stay at a location where you can be safe and warm.
❄️ Have a winter storm kit ready: Always have a winter weather kit prepared. In it, have plenty of warm blankets, water and non-perishable food items. Also, make sure you keep flashlights and a battery-powered radio on hand with extra batteries.
❄️ Be prepared for power outages: In addition to a winter weather kit, make sure all of your mobile devices stay charged in case the power goes out. Be sure to save our outage map on your browser and download the PVEC app.

In the event of an outage, please call your local PVEC office.

📍 Jonesville Office: 276.346.6003
📍 New Tazewell Office: 423.626.5204
📍 Sneedville Office: 423.733.2207

Stay safe and warm!

01/09/2025

At the direction of Gov. Bill Lee, TEMA has issued a State of Emergency to provide regulatory relief due to winter weather in Tennessee.

The state remains at a Level 3 to be able to respond to the impending winter weather and to continue to respond to Tropical Storm Helene recovery.

Read more: https://www.tn.gov/tema/news/2025/1/9/gov--lee--tema-issue-state-of-emergency-ahead-of-winter-weather.html