MCEWEN, Tenn. (WKRN) — A lightning strike damaged a communications tower in McEwen that helps provide emergency radio coverage for Dickson County, but first responders never lost service because of backup coverage built into the Tennessee Advanced Communications Network, or TACN.
The statewide system supports emergency communications for state agencies and partner agencies across Tennessee. Dickson County joined TACN in April.
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Jeff Gray, TACN director, said crews quickly identified the problem after the system detected an issue with the tower following recent storms.
A technician used a drone to inspect the tower and found lightning had damaged an antenna near the top of the structure. Gray said the technology helped crews identify the issue without waiting for someone to physically climb the tower.
The tower serves the Dickson County area, and Dickson County 911 Director Shauna Heath said joining TACN prevented what could have been a major communication problem…