Lawrenceburg Mayor Blake Lay has been appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) to serve on the Emergency Communications Board for the State of Tennessee. Lay will represent all city governments across the state with his service beginning immediately and ending June 30, 2023.

The Tennessee Emergency Communications Board is a self-funded, nine-member board located within the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. The Board was created to establish emergency communications for citizens across the state and assist emergency communications districts (ECDs) in the areas of management, operations and accountability.

"Blake Lay is a dedicated servant who has prioritized the safety of his citizens and his community," said Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton. "He is extremely deserving of this appointment to the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board, and I know he will do a great job for our entire state in this important role."

Lay's appointment to the Emergency Communications Board came about after Lay inquired about the funding and management structure of the E911 system in Lawrence County and across the state. As a result, multiple state officials, including Speaker Sexton, Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) and Representative Clay Doggett (R-Pulaski) recognized long-standing funding inequities with E911 spanning the state.

"We appreciate Mayor Lay's dedication to questioning the per phone call expense for Lawrenceburg citizens with E911 and working with us to find solutions," said Doggett. "With him also serving as 6th District Director on the Tennessee Municipal League Board, he is in a great position to help all southern Middle Tennessee counties as well as the entire state."