Blount County Emergency Management Agency is responsible for assisting the response to emergencies in Blount County. The agency assists first responders with any assets they have available. When an emergency exceeds local first responders' capabilities, the mayor or the emergency management director at the mayor's request may formally request additional assistance from other jurisdictions, from the state (Tennessee Emergency Management Agency) and from the federal government (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

Director Lance Coleman and Assistant Director Steven Cardwell work with law enforcement, fire and rescue agencies for planning. They also assist different departments in writing, requesting and managing grants and they assist first responders in obtaining necessary training. They also work with administrators at Blount County, Maryville and Alcoa school systems as well as Blount Memorial Hospital in implementing their different safety initiatives.

"We want to be a resource not just for first responders, but also our schools, our hospital and the community at large to be more prepared when emergencies occur," Coleman said.