RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - The new Rockvale Public Health & Safety Building will have its Grand Opening this Sunday, August 27, beginning at 2:00 with opening ceremonies. After a short program with music from one of ROCKVALE High School's bands, presentations of colors by the Rutherford County EMS color guard and a few remarks by the mayor, there will be a raising of the Rutherford County Flag.

According to the county, the Open House will continue until 4:00 with exhibits, the landing of Lifefight helicopter and Kona Ice will also be available. Parking will be at the nearby Middle School and Elementary School.

The County will host a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the first building to be constructed on Friday, January 28 at 1 p.m. at 6550 Highway 99 in Rockvale. The site is located on county school property.

In reviewing the new public safety buildings, each cost around $7.16 million to build and are part of the County’s public health and safety improvements made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Recovery Funds issued from the federal government in 2021.

The first of the new buildings broke ground under former Mayor Bill Ketron who said, “These buildings will serve to bring health and other life safety services to the residents in those areas, and will provide a continuous presence of first responders and other public safety/health personnel.”

Other locations for the new structures include Walter Hill, Lascassas, and Kittrell, where the buildings will provide ongoing operation of critical government and business functions essential to human health and safety. This includes but is not limited to:

• Emergency Medical Services (EMS) state and support space

• COVID-19 testing/vaccination administration

• Quarantine area for first responders

• Distribution site for personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Citizen outreach and education programs

• Behavioral healthcare center for area hotline for crisis intervention

• Local community food pantry assistance (as needed)

• Fire services and support space

• Dedicated Sheriff’s Office presence

• Community Command Post (search and rescue efforts, etc.)

• Community tornado shelter/safe room

“Rutherford County is committed to ensuring that our citizens have access to a variety of health and life safety information, services, and education,” said Public Safety Director Chris Clark. “These buildings will be used to distribute critical services on a daily basis including life safety measures and incident scene stabilization. We are very fortunate to be able to provide this level of care for our citizens.”

SUNDAY: Again, the new Rockvale Public Health & Safety Building will have its Grand Opening this Sunday, August 27, beginning at 2:00 with opening ceremonies. After a short program with music from one of ROCKVALE High School's bands, presentations of colors by the Rutherford County EMS color guard and a few remarks by the mayor, there will be a raising of the Rutherford County Flag. The event will wrap up at 4PM on Sunday.