The Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency was one of 22 county EMA’s that partnered with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, Tennessee Valley Authority and Lowe’s for “Tune It Tuesday” Tuesday, Sept. 23.
From 4-7 p.m., Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency representatives handed out free NOAA Weather Radios. They also offered free programming for residents who wanted their weather radios checked, as well as programming the new radios.
“These weather radios are important for public safety, and it’s important to keep them on all of the time,” Travis Cole, Cumberland County Emergency Management director, said. “We are one of 22 sites offering this today.”
The Tennessee Valley Authority and Lowe’s stores across Tennessee provided the radios. Cole and Chris Cox, assistant EMA director, made sure the radios were set up the right way so Cumberland County residents could get alerts for the area.
They also shared tips and resources to help families stay safe in an emergency.
Cole said it’s important to have a weather radio with the batteries installed because the radios will work even when the power goes out or if cellphone service isn’t available.
Each participating location was provided a limited number of NOAA Weather Radios for community members, courtesy of the TVA.
Cole said there were 35 radios provided for Cumberland County. TEMA provided new batteries for residents with new or used weather radios while supplies lasted.
For those who were unable to get a free radio, Lowe’s locations have the radios available for purchase.