Hendersonville Standard
HENDERSONVILLE WEATHER

Guthrie tapped to head county ECD




Michael Guthrie

Michael Guthrie

Michael Guthrie has been named Director of the Emergency Communication District (ECD). In this position he will be responsible for mapping all the addresses for Sumner County.

He will be responsible for assigning an address when someone wants to build on a parcel of land, and when developers want to develop a subdivision, his office will be responsible for making sure that all names of roads and streets are named properly and that there are no duplications.

In addition, his office will be responsible for updating all maps that go to the Emergency Communication Center (ECC 911 dispatch center). Both the ECD and ECC are located on Airport Road, but in separate buildings.

Guthrie said, “Updated maps are sent to the ECC office for public safety purposes. My office will be responsible that addresses are correctly mapped when we update. We want to make sure that any firefighter, emergency medical personnel, law enforcement, or any other first responder can look on a map and see exactly where to go.

“With today’s technology, they can pin point the location quickly.”

The ECD is also responsible for the update and maintenance of equipment that goes into the ECC building. While the ECD doesn’t have any control over the employees, they have a responsibility to maintain the equipment used on a daily basis.

Guthrie began working at the Sumner County Jail in 1994 while he worked on his degree in accounting at Volunteer State Community College. Then he worked with the Gallatin Police Department from 1996 until 1999 as a patrol officer.

In 1999, he went to work again for the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office. When he resigned to take his new position, he was serving as a lieutenant over a day patrol squad and commander over the motorcycle unit of seven officers. He served in law enforcement for 27 years.

Guthrie said, “Leaving law enforcement was among one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make because I absolutely love policing. It was a blast to police for the past 27 years. I’ve had some great days. Even the days that were not great, they were not bad either.”

Move is bittersweet

“Every day when I went to work, I had an opportunity to make a positive difference in someone’s life,” Guthrie said. “That was my mindset before every shift. It’s bitter sweet. This is a new opportunity and still a way to be involved with public safety because I apply resources for public safety to respond quickly and efficiently.

“I am familiar with the entire county, and cities as well — not just the rural areas. I understand how important it is to get mapping done correctly, so first responders won’t be delayed in getting to those who need help”

The county had been contracting the ECD office with a private contractor. When that contract ended, the ECD board decided to make the director a county employee in order to have more oversight. After the position was advertised, the board chose Guthrie from the list of applicants. He will work day to day under the county mayor but will answer to the ECD Board.

Guthrie said, “We are certainly service oriented. When the public comes to us for addressing or other related needs, we have to make sure we are there and accessible.”

Guthrie, who also serves as a Sumner County Commissioner for District 12, will not have to resign his commission seat.

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