Archives open for tours in October 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – American Archives Month is underway, and the Montgomery County Archives Department is excited to celebrate. Located at 350 Pageant Lane, suite 101-D in Veterans Plaza, the Archives Department welcomes the public to enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour to see how the stories of Montgomery County are preserved. Tours will occur on Wednesday, October 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, October 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Anyone who tours the Archives can also view the newest exhibit called Progression of Leadership: From Judge to Mayor. This collection showcases the office of the County Mayor and how it evolved from the position of County Judge, and the individuals who held the office over the years.

“We are grateful for our Archives Department and the staff that continue to serve Montgomery County. Preserving and understanding our history helps us to improve as we navigate the future,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.

“The records and manuscript collections at the Montgomery County Archives are rich with historical information and can teach us so much about our community. While we care for the records, they really belong to the people of Montgomery County, and we are very excited to share them with the public. Archives are for everyone, and we welcome those interested in learning more about our history to pay us a visit,” said Archives Director Sarah Fry. 

Created by the County Board of Commissioners in January 1995, the Archives Department serves as the official repository for county records. It operates under Tennessee State law and the direction of the Montgomery County Public Records Commission. 

The Archives entrance is on the Crossland Avenue side of Veterans Plaza in Clarksville at 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 101-D. Archives hours are 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can reach Archives by email at mcarchives@mcgtn.net or by calling 931-553-5159.

# # #

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – The Montgomery County Veterans Service Office (MCVSO) will close Monday, Sept. 30 through Wednesday, Oct. 2 while the staff attends mandatory service officer training in Chattanooga, TN. 

All veterans service officers credentialed by the Tennessee Department of Veteran Services must attend the conference and pass the exam following the training, to remain credentialed. The office will resume normal operating hours on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 8 a.m. 

For more information on the MCVSO, visit https://mcgtn.org/vso.

# # #

Last Edited: September 25, 2024 @ 9:34 am

CLARKSVILLE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TENN. – On Saturday, September 21, 2024, "Operation Lightning Strike," a large-scale casualty training exercise, was conducted at Tennova Healthcare's campus on Dunlop Lane. This event was organized and facilitated by Daniel Wall and Scott E. Smith, the Montgomery County Emergency Management Planner, and featured a collaborative effort with around 500 participants.

The exercise involved various agencies, including the Clarksville Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Homeland Security, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Emergency Management Agency, Clarksville Fire Rescue, Mont. Co. Volunteer Fire, Risk Management, City and County E-911 call takers and dispatchers.  Medical services such as Montgomery County EMS, Vanderbilt, First Call, Amerimed Ambulance, Vanderbilt Life Flight, and Air Evac Helicopter service, along with members of TRANE all contributed to the operation's success.

APSU nursing students played a critical role, using moulage techniques and simulated blood to create fake injuries that enhanced the realism of the exercise. Various first responders and law enforcement personnel coordinated responses from mobile command centers while training officers from multiple agencies ensured the safety of all participants.

After the exercise, members gathered at the main meeting point for a hot wash debriefing.  A "hot wash" is an immediate, informal debriefing session following an exercise or training event, where participants and leaders discuss the activity while it is still fresh in everyone's minds. The goal is to quickly evaluate performance, gather feedback, and identify lessons learned. These discussions help capture key insights on what went well, what didn't, and how things can be improved in the future.  

These types of drills are vital to ensure the preparedness and coordination of local emergency services. It helps to identify potential issues, refine emergency response strategies, and improve coordination among agencies, providing a valuable opportunity to enhance readiness for real emergencies.

###

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – The Montgomery County Commission voted to ratify the appointment of Michael Rios to the position of Fire Chief at the September 9 formal county commission meeting.

With this new position and department, no new funding is required for the Fire Chief position. The money is being reallocated from the former Director of Emergency Services position that was held by Jimmie Edwards. This means the position does not create the need for new money and it separates The Director of EMA and the County Fire Chief positions which are both full-time jobs. 

Rios is a fire professional with over 22 years of experience. He has extensive knowledge in fire administration, public relations, budget management, policy and procedures, and enforcement of regulations. Rios was the Assistant Chief of Administration for Clarksville Fire Rescue from 2021 to 2024. In this role, he supervised administrative personnel, coordinated all community activities, and assisted in policy review. Prior to that, he held various roles including Fire Prevention Lieutenant/Captain, Engineer, Emergency Medical Responder, and Firefighter.

He earned a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University in 2022 and holds several awards, accolades, certificates, and training in his field.

“Having this dedicated position helps our community progress to the next level. We highly value our volunteers and look forward to getting them additional support. We know Chief Rios has a servant’s heart and will always put the safety of Montgomery County first,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.

The Montgomery County Fire Chief will oversee and direct the internal operations of the fire department. This includes planning, coordinating, administering, and evaluating programs, projects, processes, procedures, systems, standards, and service offerings. The Fire Chief will also allocate resources, ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, codes, and standards, and coordinate activities between multiple service areas. Additionally, the Fire Chief will supervise the training program for auxiliary brigades, volunteers, pre-fire planning surveys, and company fire prevention inspections, as well as direct and oversee the enforcement of applicable local and State fire codes.

“I’m honored to be appointed the Fire Chief for Montgomery County Fire Service,” said Fire Chief Michael Rios. “I’m ready to get started. I look forward to working with the firefighters, County Commission, and Mayor Golden to improve services to Montgomery County,” said Rios.

Chief Rios begins his service with Montgomery County on Tuesday, September 10.

# # #

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Government is seeking adult and youth nominations for the Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards (GVSA). Nominations are due by November 1, 2024, and are located at https://mcgtn.org/comm.

As part of its effort to promote a culture of volunteering, GVSA recognizes people who contribute to the community on a local level. The GVSA promotes statewide volunteerism and strengthens community service participation throughout Tennessee every year. GVSA seeks to recognize one youth and one adult in each Tennessee county for exemplary volunteer work.

“Volunteerism is something close to my heart. There are a ton of unsung heroes who make a difference every day without seeking reward. Recognizing them is one way to show appreciation and encourage others to get involved,” stated Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.

All nominations will be judged by a local committee. Final selections are due by November 1, 2024, to the GVSA Tennessee staff in Nashville. As well as nominees from other counties across Tennessee, Montgomery County's adult and youth nominees will be honored at the annual GVSA Ceremony on February 16, 2025.

Please send your nomination form or questions to Montgomery County Social Media and Marketing Specialist Valerie Linares at vjlinares@mcgtn.net or call 931-648-8482 ext. 2.

# # #