10/03/2026
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
Fentress County Emergency Services & Public Safety Agencies
Planning, Technology and Teamwork Support Safe Operations During Major Fentress County Events
October 3, 2026 | Fentress County, Tennessee
Saturday was a busy day across Fentress County as thousands of residents and visitors gathered for two of the county’s largest annual events—the Allardt Great Pumpkin Festival and the Fitzgerald Truck Show.
With both events occurring on the same day, Fentress County’s emergency services and public safety agencies took a proactive approach to preparedness. Department heads and agency representatives staffed the Fentress County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), providing a central point for communication, coordination, and real-time situational awareness throughout the day.
The EOC allowed public safety leaders to maintain a countywide view of operations while personnel in the field provided law enforcement, fire, EMS, traffic, and emergency response coverage at the events and throughout the remainder of Fentress County.
The mission was simple: prepare early, communicate often, and be ready to respond.
One of the most valuable tools used during Saturday’s operation was a temporary traffic safety camera positioned along Highway 52 at the overpass. The camera provided a live video feed to emergency officials, allowing personnel to monitor traffic conditions and congestion in real time.
This capability gave officials another set of eyes on one of the county’s major transportation routes and provided information that could be used to assist with traffic management, identify developing problems, and coordinate emergency resources if an incident occurred.
“Days like today show exactly why preparation and cooperation between our departments are so important,” said Fentress County Executive Jacob Rosenbaum. “We had thousands of people traveling into and throughout Fentress County, and our responsibility was to make sure we were prepared for whatever the day might bring. Having our public safety leaders together in the EOC, supported by personnel in the field and technology that allowed us to monitor conditions in real time, gave us the ability to stay informed and respond quickly if needed. I am extremely appreciative of everyone who worked together to make public safety a priority today.”
While the large crowds and increased traffic were highly visible, much of the public safety effort happened behind the scenes.
Throughout the day, officials monitored traffic conditions, event activity, emergency communications, available personnel and equipment, and emergency response coverage across the county. This coordination helped ensure that resources committed to the special events did not diminish Fentress County’s ability to respond to everyday emergencies elsewhere in the community.
Large-scale events are successful not only because of what happens when an emergency occurs, but because of the planning, coordination, and preparation that take place before one ever happens.
Saturday’s operation demonstrated the value of bringing agencies together, sharing information, utilizing available technology, and maintaining a common operating picture.
Fentress County Emergency Services would also like to extend a special thank you to the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the troopers who provided additional manpower and support throughout Saturday’s events. With the significant increase in traffic associated with both events, THP’s presence was an important part of the overall public safety operation. Their assistance with traffic safety, roadway operations, and law enforcement coverage helped local agencies manage the increased number of vehicles traveling throughout the county while maintaining a safe environment for residents and visitors.
The willingness of state and local agencies to work side by side is an important part of Fentress County’s emergency preparedness efforts, and we greatly appreciate the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s continued partnership and support of Fentress County.
Fentress County Emergency Services would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to Putnam County Emergency Management Agency, Clear Fork Fire Department, and the other departments, agencies, and neighboring counties that provided assistance and resources throughout the weekend.
Major events of this size require more than the efforts of a single department or jurisdiction. The willingness of our mutual-aid partners to provide personnel, equipment, resources, and operational support helped strengthen Fentress County’s overall emergency response capabilities while thousands of visitors were in our communities.
Having additional resources available also helped ensure that Fentress County could maintain emergency coverage throughout the county while personnel and equipment were committed to the Allardt Great Pumpkin Festival and Fitzgerald Truck Show.
We are extremely grateful for the relationships we have built with our neighboring agencies. Mutual aid is more than simply responding when someone calls for help—it is agencies and communities standing together, sharing resources, and working toward the same goal of protecting the public.
To Putnam County EMA, Clear Fork Fire Department, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and every local, regional, and state partner who assisted Fentress County this weekend—thank you. Your willingness to step in and work alongside our personnel played an important role in the success and safety of this weekend’s operations.
Fentress County Emergency Services also extends its appreciation to the law enforcement officers, firefighters, rescue squad members, EMS personnel, emergency management personnel, 911 dispatchers, transportation and traffic personnel, event organizers, volunteers, state partners, mutual-aid agencies, and supporting organizations who contributed to the planning and operation of Saturday’s events.
We also thank the citizens and visitors who attended the Allardt Great Pumpkin Festival and Fitzgerald Truck Show for their patience, cooperation, and support of our communities.
One County. Multiple Agencies. One Mission — Keeping Fentress County Safe.
The cooperation demonstrated Saturday is another example of Fentress County’s continued commitment to improving emergency preparedness, strengthening interagency communication, and building strong partnerships across city, county, regional, and state lines. When agencies work together before an emergency happens, we are better prepared to respond when our communities need us most.
