The Williamson County Emergency Management Agency has implemented a county-wide Storm Shelter Registry program. The program is designed to avoid a situation where residents might be trapped underneath debris inside their storm shelter.

The Williamson County Emergency Management Agency has implemented a county-wide Storm Shelter Registry program.

The program is designed to avoid a situation where residents might be trapped underneath debris inside their storm shelter.

County and city officials are encouraging residents to register their shelters during the upcoming Severe Weather Awareness Week, Feb. 18-23, and make preparations for severe weather.

EMA Director Mac Purdy said the registry will help emergency agencies throughout the county locate victims when they respond to areas that have been affected by severe weather.

“The master registry will allow us to identify structures with storm shelters in a storm’s path,” Purdy said. “While all damaged structures are searched, this storm shelter list will assist emergency responders as they conduct search and rescue operations, expediting the accountability process.”

Purdy said the Williamson County EMA launched the program this month in cooperation with the Brentwood and Franklin Fire Departments, in response to the growing number of households that are installing tornado shelters in Williamson County.

Purdy said the program is free and completely voluntary, but urges everyone who lives in Williamson County and has a storm shelter to register.

“With this information, responders will know where to search within your home if it is damaged by a storm,” Purdy said.

To sign up, visit inigo.williamson-tn.org/storm_shelter/ or follow the link on the Franklin Fire Department’s home page at franklintn.gov/fire.