Tennessee SHIELD Pilot Program: A Revolutionary Step Toward Public Safety and Fiscal Responsibility

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SHIELD is proud to announce the opportunity for the state of Tennessee to pilot a groundbreaking initiative designed to enhance public safety while maximizing state resources. This comprehensive program integrates advanced safety measures, optimized emergency response protocols, and cost-saving innovations to create a more secure and efficient system for first responders and the communities they serve. Had this program been in place before Hurricane Helene, the state of Tennessee could have saved $55 million in post disaster response (more on that in the Hurricane Helene Report attached in this release).

Key Highlights of the Tennessee SHIELD Pilot Program: 

• Enhanced School Safety: SHIELD aligns with existing school security efforts by providing advanced threat detection, improved emergency response times, and streamlined coordination between law enforcement and educational institutions. 
• Innovative First Responder Support: The program introduces cutting-edge technology, including real-time data sharing, ensuring that emergency personnel are positioned for maximum effectiveness. 
• Statewide Infrastructure Optimization: By leveraging data-driven insights, Tennessee's SHIELD will enhance the allocation of emergency services, reducing operational costs while improving coverage in critical areas. 
• Public and Private Sector Collaboration: The initiative fosters partnerships between state agencies, local municipalities, and private industry leaders, increasing the effectiveness of public safety measures without additional taxpayer burden. 
• Fiscal Efficiency & Cost Savings: The program is projected to save the state up to a billion dollars annually by reducing redundant emergency service dispatches, minimizing property damage through proactive safety measures, and decreasing medical costs related to delayed emergency response. 
• Agencies and organizations invited to participate include the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO), Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), and all local fire, law enforcement, and EMS departments. Additionally, school superintendents are invited to take part in the pilot program. 

Savings and Economic Impact
According to the Helene Report, SHIELD could have saved the state up to 55 million dollars had it been in place before the hurricane. By implementing proactive safety measures and streamlining emergency response, significant financial losses could have been mitigated. The report highlights that faster deployment of resources and improved coordination could have reduced damage and recovery costs. This underscores the program's potential for long-term fiscal benefits and disaster preparedness. 
SHIELD is expected to deliver substantial cost reductions by improving efficiency in public safety operations. Key financial benefits include: 

• Lower operational expenses through strategic deployment of law enforcement and EMS resources. 
• Reduction in school security costs by integrating state-of-the-art safety protocols without requiring excessive staffing increases. 
• Fewer insurance and liability expenses due to proactive risk mitigation strategies. 

A Safer Future for Tennessee
The Tennessee SHIELD Pilot Program reinforces the state's commitment to protecting students, first responders, and communities while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively. By modernizing safety measures, integrating technology, and prioritizing rapid emergency response, Tennessee is setting a new national standard for public safety and fiscal responsibility. 

About SHIELD
The SHIELD Pilot Program is proposed as a state-funded initiative focused on improving public safety, school security, roadway safety, and first responder efficiency while ensuring cost-effective operations. Through innovative technology, strategic partnerships, and data-driven solutions, the program is designed to serve as a model for nationwide safety improvements. 

Media Contact: 

William Robertson/ Owner
Dr. Bill Robertson/ Owner
615.708.3187
[email protected]
Click or copy paste the links below for real life examples where SHIELD could have changed the story:
*warning* These videos may be disturbing to some viewers as they highlight the very real dangers our communities face every day. 

https://youtu.be/-1IRqvByYpw
https://youtu.be/_hmCVZmKErw 

For more information on the Tennessee SHIELD Pilot Program, visit www.1-shield.com or email William Robertson or Bill Robertson at [email protected].

The Helene Economic Policy Brief: Benefits of SHIELD's digital siren and bullhorn during Hurricane Helene in Tennessee

Hurricane Helene was a devastating hurricane that killed over 230 people across six states. The property damage estimates by Corelogic, a property data and analytics company, ranged between $30.5 to $47.4 billion.  This estimate does not include damages to public buildings and infrastructure such as roads and bridges.  As more severe disasters become commonplace, private and public stakeholders must adapt new tools and approaches to reduce these costs and improve health and safety outcomes.  One such tool is a digital siren and bullhorn that can warn citizens about natural disasters, provide information about evacuation routes, and assist first responders.

This brief applies the methodology of Brent (2022) to calculate the benefits of a digital siren and bullhorn in Tennessee during Hurricane Helene.  The approach assumes that the benefits due to reduced mortality are similar during a natural disaster.  Previous estimates showed a 7% decrease in traffic mortalities due to a digital siren and bullhorn.  Applying this probabilistically to the 17 deaths in Tennessee during Hurricane Helene generates a $15 million benefit due to reduced mortality. The CDC reported that in Hurricane Andrew 96% of hurricane related medical emergencies did not result in fatalities (CDC 1993).  Applying the same proportion to the reduced cost of injuries results in a further $17 million dollar reduction in nonfatal emergencies. Adding the mortality and nonfatal emergency benefits together generates a total benefit of $32 million in the base case.  A sensitivity analysis shown in Table 1 following the same approach as Brent (2022) shows that the benefits range from $16 million in the low case to $55 million in the high case.

Table 1: Potential benefits of reduced mortality and injuries during Hurricane Helene in Tennessee

Note: All values are in millions of dollars.

There are several caveats in this initial brief. Due to data limitations several benefits are not able to be estimated due to the lack of data. These include the safety benefits to first responders, time savings due to more efficient evacuations (Mozumder & Vásquez, 2015), and cost savings from more efficient emergency responses. Another caveat is that emergency response is inherently different during a disaster.  There are more calls to first responders and the benefits from more timely and efficient responses are likely different.  Logically, more efficient response to a greater number of emergency calls will increase the benefits of a digital.  Due to omitted benefits from lack of data and greater benefits during disasters, the calculations here likely underestimate the true benefits of a digital siren and bullhorn during a disaster.

References:

Brent, Daniel (2022) Economic analysis of the costs and benefits of Shield's digital siren and bullhorn in Tennessee, Report to Shield 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1993). Injuries and illnesses related to Hurricane Andrew--Louisiana, 1992. MMWR: Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 42(13), 242-4.

Crutchfield, A. S., & Harkey, K. A. (2019). A comparison of call volumes before, during, and after Hurricane Harvey. The American journal of emergency medicine, 37(10), 1904-1906.

Mozumder, P., & Vásquez, W. F. (2015). An empirical analysis of hurricane evacuation expenditures. Natural Hazards, 79, 81-92.

SOURCE SHIELD