Contact Info:
Brice Kidwell, Director | bkidwell@andersoncountytn.gov
Karen Ooten | kooten@andersoncountytn.gov  
111 South Charles G Seivers Blvd
Clinton, TN 37716-3927
865-264-6394

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Anderson County Emergency Management Agency is dedicated to safeguarding the community by coordinating preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts for both natural and man-made disasters. Tasked by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security develops and executes comprehensive emergency plans to protect residents and infrastructure.

Through strategic planning, ACEMA continuously updates and enhances the Anderson County Emergency Management Plan, working with over 80 agencies to improve response capabilities. A detailed resource inventory ensures the swift allocation of manpower, equipment, and supplies during crises.

Training is a key component of ACEMA’s mission. The agency collaborates with state and federal partners to provide specialized courses in firefighting, incident command, and hazardous materials response. Additionally, the Damage Assessment Team, composed of trained volunteers, assists in evaluating disaster impact to expedite state and federal aid requests.

By aggressively securing grant funding, ACEMA has acquired millions in federal and state resources to enhance local emergency response capabilities, including funding for county fire departments.

The ACEMA also manages mitigation efforts which focuses on reducing disaster risks through hazard planning and tracking hazardous materials in local industries. During emergencies, ACEMA leads response operations from the Emergency Operations Center, ensuring seamless coordination between agencies and effective disaster management for Anderson County residents.