07/25/2026
Public Safety Agencies Participate in Mental Health Response and EMS Safety Training at Cherokee County EOC
Public safety professionals from across Cherokee County recently came together at the Cherokee County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for a three-day collaborative training focused on mental health response and emergency responder safety.
As mental health-related calls continue to increase throughout our communities, the training provided an opportunity for law enforcement, emergency medical services, and emergency communications personnel to work together in developing best practices for safely and effectively responding to these incidents. Discussions centered on improving coordination between agencies, enhancing communication, and identifying strategies to ensure the safety of EMS personnel during response, while on scene, and throughout patient transport.
Participating agencies included Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee EMS, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, the Centre Police Department, Cedar Bluff Police Department, Leesburg Police Department, and Cherokee County 911 Dispatch. By bringing all responding disciplines together in one room, the training reinforced the importance of a unified approach to mental health emergencies.
The collaborative discussions and shared experiences will help strengthen interagency partnerships while enhancing the level of service and safety provided to the citizens of Cherokee County. Cherokee County EMA extends its appreciation to all participating agencies and instructors for their commitment to improving public safety through continued education, collaboration, and preparedness.