Humvees Aid in Disaster Preparedness

PUTNAM COUNTY, TN – When disasters strike, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is usually on the front lines of the county’s response. Following the ice storm, flooding and recent tornadoes that hit Putnam County this year, one of the lessons learned was that patrol cars cannot access remote areas of the county in all types of emergency situations. As a result, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office went to the U.S. Government Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) to see if there was any equipment available that would give our deputies the ability to access every area of the county during a disaster.

The answer came in the form of 3 Humvees, 4 Portable Command Tents as well as 2 generators and 2 side by side utility vehicles, 2 cargo trailers and two ¾-ton 4-wheel drive Suburbans to haul and hold all of the disaster supplies.  The Humvees will allow deputies to perform a variety of tasks; such as, entering areas not accessible by traditional vehicles, enabling off-road capabilities, delivering immediate needs and supplies, and establishing remote communications through the use of portable radio repeaters. The Portable Command Tents came with heaters, fans, tables and map boards and will allow the Sheriff’s Office to establish “forward” command posts immediately and in any area of the County. In addition, the same program has provided the Sheriff’s Office with two passenger vans for transporting people to shelters, one heavy duty truck for hauling supplies, enough First Aid Kits, safety glasses and flashlights for every patrol car and a number of AED’s for disaster relief.

“We are always looking for ways to improve our Department and the services we provide to the residents of Putnam County,” said Sheriff Farris. “We have identified the ability to use this program as a means to obtain equipment that can be used for disaster deployments at no cost to taxpayers.”

The Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) facilitates a law enforcement support program, which originated from the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 1997 (FY 97). This law allows transfer of excess Department of Defense property that might otherwise be destroyed to law enforcement agencies across the United States and its territories. No equipment is purchased for distribution.  All items were excess which had been turned in by military units or had been held as part of reserve stocks until no longer needed.

For a closer look, please visit the Sheriff’s Office at the Fall Fun Fest this weekend.  We will be located on East Spring Street between Madison Avenue and Jefferson Avenue.