Steve Batten has been selected as the Director of the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency (EMA).

With nearly 30 years of public safety experience, Batten is a seasoned public leader recognized for his operational excellence, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment to community safety. 

Before joining the Montgomery County EMA, he retired from Clarksville Fire Rescue with 28 years of distinguished service, where he held key leadership roles in emergency response, personnel management, and fire service operations.

After retiring from Clarksville Fire Rescue, Batten served as an Emergency Management Specialist (Recovery) and Program Delivery Manager with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), where he supported disaster recovery operations by coordinating program delivery and ensuring effective communication between FEMA and impacted communities.

Throughout his career, Batten consistently enhanced departmental efficiency, led complex emergency operations, and fostered strong partnerships across the community to promote preparedness and resilience. His ability to lead with integrity and build effective teams has earned him a reputation as a trusted and respected figure in the public safety arena.

“I am pleased to welcome our new Emergency Management Director. Steve Batten brings a wealth of experience from both the local and federal levels. His leadership and expertise in emergency response will be a great asset as we continue to strengthen and expand our resources and to keep Montgomery County safe and prepared, said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden. As we welcome a new EMA Director, I want to sincerely thank Director Ed Baggett for his many years of dedicated service to Montgomery County. His experience and steady leadership—especially during times of crisis—have left a lasting impact on our community. We wish him a happy and well-earned retirement!"

Steve holds an associate’s degree in Fire Science along with numerous state certifications. He is also continuing his education in the field of Emergency Management to enhance his ability to serve the community during times of crisis.

"After serving with FEMA and supporting disaster recovery efforts nationwide, I am grateful for the opportunity to return to Clarksville Montgomery County and use my knowledge and experience to serve the community I call home," Batten said.

For more information on the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency, visit https://montgomerytn.gov/ema.

A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open beginning Friday, June 27, to help residents who had damage or losses from the severe weather and flooding from April 2-24, 2025.  

The center is located at: 
The Clarksville Montgomery County Public Library
350 Pageant Lane, Suite 501
Clarksville, TN 37040

Open during Library Operating Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Friday – Saturday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
 

Those impacted in Montgomery can now apply for FEMA Individual Assistance (IA): 

• Online anytime at www.disasterassistance.gov 
• By phone at 1-800-621-3362.   
• On the FEMA mobile app. 
• In-person at a Disaster Recovery Center. 

Those eligible for FEMA’s IA program may receive help with rental assistance, home repair, and personal property replacement, in addition to other uninsured or underinsured disaster losses. More information on FEMA’s IA program can be found here. 
 

Documents you will need to provide to FEMA: 

• Proof of Identification 
• Insurance Determination Letter 
• Proof of Occupancy or Ownership 

To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube. 
 

We strongly encourage all individuals who experienced damage or losses from the severe weather event to visit a Disaster Recovery Center and talk to a representative about assistance that may be available. 

For questions and concerns, contact the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency at 931-648-5702 or email mobileEMA@mcgtn.net.

Last Edited: June 20, 2025 @ 4:58 pm

Friday, June 20, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that President Trump approved his request for a Major Disaster Declaration, making FEMA aid available for residents in nine counties, including Montgomery County, and public recovery help available for 19 counties affected by the severe storms and tornadoes from April 2–6, 2025.

“Many of our residents are still picking up the pieces after these devastating storms,” said County Mayor Wes Golden. “We’re grateful for the federal support - this individual assistance will help speed up the recovery process and provide some much-needed relief to our local families."

The release from Gov. Lee and TEMA Director Sheehan provides the following guidance on Individual Assistance resources available for those impacted:

FEMA Individual Assistance Program  
Individuals in the declared counties can apply now for direct assistance through FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) program online anytime or by phone at 1-800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. CT. Multilingual operators are available.

Those eligible for FEMA’s IA program may receive up to $43,600 to stabilize survivors and help with rental assistance, home repair, and personal property replacement, in addition to other uninsured or underinsured disaster losses.

To apply online for Individual Assistance, visit: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
The deadline for applications for Individual Assistance is August 19, 2025.

The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency is coordinating with state and federal partners to host in-person assistance appointments for residents impacted by the April storms. All impacted residents are strongly encouraged to attend an in-person appointment. The location and times for in-person appointments will be shared with the public soon.

At in-person appointments, residents can register for FEMA assistance, ask a FEMA specialist questions about their application, receive clarification on letters or information from FEMA, get help uploading documents, and receive help with writing an appeal.

For questions or more information, call the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency at 931-648-5702.

Montgomery County Government offices will be closed on Thursday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth federal holiday. All County offices will reopen on Friday, June 20, during normal hours of operation. 

For online services available through Montgomery County Government, visit the GOV tab at mcgtn.org. 

On Monday, June 9, the Montgomery County Commission approved the annual budget, the final step in funding essential services and setting financial priorities for the upcoming year.

Key priorities for the budget for next year focus on ensuring our growing community has adequate resources to support the needs of our residents and their vitality. 

The County is committed to providing opportunities and services that ensure a healthy, vibrant, and safe community and to enhancing the quality of life for all residents who call Montgomery County home, with NO tax increase.

Two major focus areas for the budget are:

1. Growing public safety capacity
2. Enhancing and expanding quality of life amenities

“Ensuring the safety of our residents and their property is essential to sustaining our growth. We are allocating resources and funding to the Montgomery County Fire Department, Sheriff's Office, and EMS to strengthen emergency response capabilities and ensure the residents in our community and their property are well protected.” 

“And a thriving community is rooted in a high quality of life, offering strong opportunities in industry, commerce, education, and recreation to attract and retain businesses, residents, soldiers, and families. By investing in amenities, schools, parks, events, and recreational opportunities, we create an environment that supports those who call our community home.”

Budget Highlights include:

• No proposed tax increase
• $54.8 million debt retirement (principal + interest)
• $37 million in Proposed Capital Projects
• 2% COLA for all County and CMCSS employees
• Raising CMCSS teacher's starting salaries to $50k

2026 budget priorities include:

Public Safety

• Funding for a new downtown Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Station
• Funding for 8 Full-Time Paramedics with an additional ambulance to provide added coverage for north Clarksville.
• Funding for a new Fire Station and Sheriff Precinct in the Kirkwood area, along with additional personnel
• Funding for a new Fire Engine and additional equipment

Quality of Life

• $6 million in funding for CMCSS Capital Projects - including replacement of Unit Vents and automatic centralized HVAC control at Woodlawn Elementary, roof replacement at Montgomery Central Middle, and system-wide parking and paving improvements.
• Funding for Phase I of a County Fairgrounds: planning, design, and infrastructure (roadway, mass grading, and restrooms)
• Funding to renovate and convert the old Lone Oak Church into a Community Center 
• Funding for renovations and upgrades to Woodlawn Park
• Personnel and equipment to operate new facilities coming online - Stokes Field, North Branch Library, and the Animal Control Facility

"Our department heads, elected officials, and commissioners collaborated to deliver a balanced budget that invests in community priorities with no tax increase. The 2026 Budget reflects a shared commitment to meeting the needs of the residents we serve every day. I am proud of the teamwork that has gone into this process and excited about what is ahead as we look forward."

- Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.

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Photo Credit: Jason Rawls