Tennessee Advanced Communications Network Met Challenges of Winter Storm Fern: Preparation Was Key Factor

During the nearly two weeks of unprecedented winter weather across Tennessee, service was never disrupted for the first responders who depend on the Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TACN).

Of the 140 TACN towers that provide statewide coverage, 28 went on generator power after commercial power failed during Winter Storm Fern. Although four sites did experience a full outage during the 12-day weather event, due to swift TACN technician response, no outage lasted more than three hours. Because the statewide radio system was built with multiple paths over which communications can flow, emergency personnel never lost radio coverage. Commercial power was restored to all towers by Feb. 6th.

"We believe that losing power on just 3% of our towers is a testament to the preparedness by our TACN staff and technicians." said Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) Commissioner Jeff long. "Because our network has the ability to route calls to other towers when one is down, all calls for assistance were answered."

In the week prior to Winter Storm Fern, TACN leaders attended planning meetings with multiple partners including Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Guard. The focus of those gatherings was to prioritize methods of maintaining infrastructure support and continuous communication.

During that same time, TACN personnel began preparing vehicles with storm essentials, refueling tower generators and organizing chainsaw teams to clear debris from tower roadways and power lines.

"We always prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Winter Storm Fern was no different." said TACN Director Jeff Gray. "You never know how intense an ice storm will be nor how long it will last, but we do know how to prepare, and our team did just that."

At various points throughout the storm, roads leading to some towers became unpassable due to icy conditions and fallen trees. TACN received quick assistance from multiple agencies including, the National Guard, Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), Tennessee Division of Forestry and Tennessee State Parks.

Currently, TACN supports more than 73,000 local, state and federal government users statewide. Last year, all state agencies transitioned to TACN to experience the statewide communications interoperability and the cost savings it delivers.

For more information about TACN visit: tn.gov/safety/tacn.