Tennessee’s Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) is a governmental department tasked with protecting Tennesseans and their property from danger and disaster. The Tennessee Highway Patrol, Driver and Vehicle Services, the Homeland Security Division, and the Division of Emergency Management are all part of the agency. The TDOSHS also collaborates with state and local governments, as well as the corporate sector, to strengthen resilience to terrorism and other threats.
Throughout the year, the TDOSHS sponsors and participates in conferences and activities to raise awareness and promote collaboration across sectors. The Tennessee Emergency Management Conference, which was held electronically in 2020, brought together emergency management and homeland security specialists from around the state for training and information sharing. The All Hazards Conference, which took place online in 2020 as well, gave a thorough review of disaster-related issues such as planning, response, rescue, and rehabilitation.
The TDOSHS also hosts the Homeland Security Forum & Security Summit, which spotlights emerging security trends and best practices. This event, which offers keynote speakers, training, and panel discussions, attracts security professionals from across the state. The Summit in 2021 will focus on the effects of COVID-19 and pandemic recovery.
The TDOSHS also hosts the Tennessee Counter-Terrorism Conference, which takes place every two years and involves a variety of federal and state government speakers. Individuals attending the conference will have the opportunity to learn more about terrorism and counterterrorism from specialists in the industry. The most recent conference, held in October 2020, focused on how companies should prepare for vulnerabilities relating to the 2020 presidential election.
Finally, the TDOSHS is committed to providing opportunities for Tennesseans to learn about emergency and homeland security problems. The TDOSHS bridges the gap between state and municipal governments, private sector companies, and individuals through conferences and events like these to guarantee that Tennessee stays resilient in the face of any threats.