CULLMAN, Ala. – Out front, Rock the South (RTS) was big and flashy, with its share of issues arising from a record crowd and a new location. Behind the scenes, though, it was an often overwhelming task, calling on multiple agencies from all over north Alabama to bring some seriously professional grade cat-herding skills to bear on a constantly developing situation.
Cullman Police Department Assistant Chief Craig Montgomery explained to The Tribune that multiple agencies working together in coordinated efforts, with coordinated planning and communications- known today as mutual aid- is a product of post rethinking of emergency response procedures across the country after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Mutual aid benefited the Cullman area greatly in 2011, when emergency responders and law enforcement from across north Alabama flocked to Cullman in the wake of the deadly April 27 tornadoes.
Here, The Tribune gives emergency response coordinator and Cullman Fire Rescue Chief Brian Bradberry, onsite law enforcement coordinator Cullman Police Lt. Jeff Warnke and Montgomery, and emergency management coordinator and Cullman County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Phyllis Little an opportunity to introduce the many agencies that came together to deal with all things RTS.
Fire/EMS/medical coverage
Bradberry shared this list:
- Air Evac Lifeteam 15
- Alabama Department of Public Health
- Baileyton Volunteer Fire Department
- Bethsadia Volunteer Fire Department
- Crane Hill Communities Volunteer Fire and EMS Department
- Cullman Emergency Medical Services/Cullman Regional
- Cullman Fire Rescue
- Fairview Volunteer Fire Department
- Good Hope Fire Rescue
- Hanceville Fire Department
- Huntsville Emergency Medical Services, Inc.
- Logan Fire & Rescue
- Regional Paramedical Services
- State of Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office
- Vinemont-Providence Volunteer Fire Department
- Wallace State Community College EMS Program Students and Instructors
- Walter Volunteer Fire Department
- West Point Volunteer Fire Department
Bradberry said of the joint team, “Our firefighter/EMTs do an outstanding job each and every year. I am always so proud of their hard work and dedication to the public, but one of the most satisfying parts of the weekend is seeing all of the agencies pull together for one common goal. Each agency contributes equipment, staffing or both to help cover the event and we are able to accomplish so much by working together.
“We truly enjoy the teamwork involved in covering such a large event, and we are just so thankful that we have such a wonderful group of first responders and healthcare professionals in Cullman County, Alabama.
“I would also like to add that we appreciate all of the support from law enforcement. We always appreciate their support of our Fire and EMS efforts. We couldn’t do what we do without their help.”
Bradberry added, “Also, wouldn’t want to forget CRMC Emergency Department. They, along with other hospitals in the surrounding area, work hard preparing and providing definitive care for the patients that are transported out of the concert.”
Bradberry also commended Dr. Scott Warner, who he said, “provides us with medical direction onsite. That is very helpful, and we couldn’t do without the support.
“Also, the National Weather Service had representatives on site. That’s always helpful to keep us alerted about the weather conditions.”
Law enforcement coverage
Warnke and Montgomery shared:
- Alabama Drug Task Force Division F
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA/State Troopers)
- Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC)
- Blount County Sheriff’s Office
- Cullman County Sheriff’s Office
- Cullman Police Department
- Department of Homeland Security
- Etowah County Sheriff’s Office
- Hanceville Police Department
- Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
- Madison County Sheriff’s Office
- Morgan County Sheriff’s Office
- New Hope Police Department
- Rogersville Police Department
- State Bureau of Investigation
- Tuscaloosa Police Department
Warnke and Montgomery said a total of 170 law enforcement officers and officials served at the event. Additionally, RTS hired officers from the Hartselle Police Department for private security details in and around the Deer Trace subdivision.
Montgomery said, “I know that when the Chief (Kenny Culpepper), after Jeff had crunched the numbers and said, ‘Chief, this is what I think we need,’ the Chief put out the call: ‘Hey, sister agencies, we need some assistance right here; we’re going to have, more than likely, the biggest crowd ever,’ and we had people volunteering from these counties and agencies just like that.”
Warnke, who supervised law enforcement operations “on the ground” from a command center east of the stage, shared, “I’m just glad we had all the help we did. I’m glad that everybody responded, and, like the assistant chief said, everybody worked together wonderful. Everybody just kind of meshed.
“I had chief deputies from other counties here, and I had the sheriff from one county here, that came down as part of the Region Six. You know, you kind of want to treat them really nice, because they’re a lot higher up the food chain than I am, and everything. And, you know, the one chief deputy was like, I said, ‘Where do you want me to put you?’ He said, ‘Hey, put me with a team. I’m good!’
“You don’t really expect the sheriff or the chief deputy from a county to volunteer to come to an event like this but, man, I had three- I think three- chief deputies and a sheriff in this Region Six volunteer pool.”
Montgomery added, “I will say this, that those agencies were so professional and easy to work with. And they frequently commented about how well-planned it was and how that plan was executed, maintaining good command and control. And you’re talking about departments like Tuscaloosa, that are used to big crowds with Alabama games and whatnot.”
Montgomery explained that officers were assigned to teams with a local officer in charge who would officially make the arrest of anyone the team took into custody. Under that local officer might be other agencies’ officers of higher rank, but the teams did not seem to have any problems related to such an approach.
“You don’t worry about rank; you just get the job done,” he said.
Said Warnke, “Everybody worked well together and was eager to help, and I was glad of it. I don’t think we had any egos bumping or anything like that, so that’s always a good thing.”
RTS also had its own security personnel, charged with internal site management such as keeping concert goers in their proper sections.
Here The Tribune must repeat what our staff heard one young man shouting into his cell phone as he was leaving the venue around 2:30 Friday afternoon: “No, no, dude! They’ve got too much security!”
Cullman County EMA
Little shared:
- Alabama Fusion Center (an intelligence gathering department of ALEA)
- Department of Homeland Security Region Four Office of Infrastructure Protection
- National Weather Service Huntsville office
Little said EMA had its most active role in planning ahead of RTS, coordinating with other agencies to make sure the area was as ready as possible for the event and resources in other locations were “on call” and ready to respond, had extra resources been needed for large scale emergencies like a natural disaster or mass casualty incident.
EMA set up a radio repeater on a 60-foot tower at the site to facilitate radio communications between personnel on duty and the command center. That tower and equipment, which are shared by several county agencies, are also used for other large events such as the 4th of July celebration at Smith Lake Park.
The only time some people get recognized is when something goes wrong, and, other than a few incidents that received high profile news and social media attention, the law enforcement and emergency responders’ tasks ran fairly smoothly. A few RTS fans did take time, though, for social media comments:
“The police presence was amazing! Even with all the kinks, we had a fantastic time.”
“I have to say, out of all the negativity for RTS, they were great with me. I was one of the ones the ambulance picked up around 5 or so. I had 2 seizures while in the first aid tent. They were on it and from what I was told had me at the hospital within 10-15 minutes.”
“I love that this event is in my hometown and does good for the community and businesses. This is a good event that provides fun and entertainment for young and old alike. And all first responders are to be commended for their service at this event. Thank you for helping keep the attendees safe and taken care of. Looking forward to RTS 2020!!!”
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