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A resolution requesting the Mayor’s Office to initiate an investigation into the operations, practices, and leadership culture of the Davidson County Department of Emergency Communications and report findings to the Metropolitan County Council.
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WHEREAS, the mission of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) is to “bring calm in times of chaos, order where there is disorder, and clarity in moments of confusion;” and
WHEREAS, DEC professionals serve as the vital link between the citizens and emergency responders by providing timely, courteous, and efficient emergency and non-emergency communications services; and
WHEREAS, according to a 2019 audit, the DEC Emergency Communications Center (ECC) processes over one million calls per year and operates from both a primary and a backup site; and
WHEREAS, the DEC leadership is appointed by the Mayor and receives funding through both the Metropolitan Government annual operating budget and the State of Tennessee Emergency Communication District; and
WHEREAS, Ogletree Deakins was engaged in 2022 to conduct a “Climate Assessment” to evaluate employee dissatisfaction and potential areas of improvement which resulted in the issuance of a report on February 13, 2023 that identified three broad areas of concern: (a) dissatisfaction with the quality and consistency of training for new hires and current staff, (b) issues related to paid time off (PTO) policies and scheduling practices, and (c) lack of transparency and consistency in how internal changes are implemented, recorded, and documented; and
WHEREAS, the concerns raised by more recent allegations detailed in an anonymous complaint received by the Metropolitan Council on February 4, 2025, of a potentially toxic and retaliatory workplace culture-especially in an agency as critical as DEC-warrant an independent, comprehensive investigation to ensure transparency, accountability, and employee well-being, while preserving the integrity of public safety operations in Nashville and Davidson County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby requests that the Mayor’s Office initiate and oversee an investigation into the operations, practices, and leadership culture of the Davidson County Department of Emergency Communications.
Section 2. The investigation should include, but not be limited to:
• A review of the findings from the February 13, 2023 Ogletree Deakins Climate Assessment report;
• An examination of all allegations set forth in the anonymous February 4, 2025 employee email;
• Analysis of disciplinary trends and practices from 2018 through 2024;
• Assessment of current and past training protocols, scheduling systems, and management accountability structures;
• Evaluation of the impact of leadership behavior on employee mental health, morale, and operational effectiveness; and
• Recommendations for corrective action, systemic reforms, leadership changes, or operational improvements, as appropriate.
Section 3. The Mayor’s Office is requested to report findings and recommendations to the Metropolitan Council within 120 days of adoption of this resolution.
Section 4. This resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.