Department of Operations
Overseeing a wide range of services for the EBCI
The Department of Operations oversees a wide range of services for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, including Facility Management, Housekeeping, Tribal EMS, Fire and Rescue, Public Safety Communications, Tribal Construction, Road Maintenance, and more.
2023 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
– Cherokee Water System
Support Services
Facility Management
EBCI Facility Management strives to provide outstanding services, in a safe and timely manner, to all Tribal buildings. Facilities provides all building maintenance needs, HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, electrical, and grounds landscaping.
The Facility Management program’s purpose is to provide and maintain all Tribal buildings and grounds to ensure a safe and clean environment.
Housekeeping
The Housekeeping program provides services to include: dusting, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, trash removal, and floor maintenance to all Tribal departments. The Housekeeping program also services the public restrooms located in downtown Cherokee and the Saunooke kiosk located near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Emergency Services
The Emergency Management Office is responsible for creating plans through which communities reduce their vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters. Disaster management does not avert or eliminate the threat; instead it focuses on creating plans to decrease the impact of disasters. Failure to create a plan could lead to damage of assets, human mortality, and lost revenue. The EM Office is also the central point of contact for requesting assistance, supplies, and equipment from the state or federal levels during times of disaster.
By utilizing the four phases of Emergency Management (Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery) EM can respond more effectively and efficiently to the citizens of the Qualla Boundary during times of emergencies and disaster.
Cherokee Tribal EMS
Our mission is to be available to all clients and provide “state-of-the-art” pre-hospital instruction and community education; and to respond to and address all emergency and non-emergency calls on the Qualla Boundary, as well as in surrounding communities and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Contact: 828.359.6361
Cherokee Fire and Rescue
Cherokee Fire and Rescue strives to protect the lives and property of residents of the Qualla Boundary and its surrounding communities from natural and man-made disasters.
Contact: 828.359.6150
Our vision is to become the premier emergency service delivery agency in the region by developing an organization of professionals serving with pride and integrity. We strive to use the latest technology and business practices to meet the current needs and future growth of our community while consistently reflecting the history and culture of the people we serve.
Burn Permit Application
Click the button below or scan the QR code for the Burn Permit application.
Public Safety Communication Center
The Public Safety Communication Center (PSCC) is the center of communication for E911, Police, Fire, EMS, NRE, and Emergency Management Services for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and surrounding service areas. The major center operates 
24/7, 365 days a year, and is responsible for receiving and gathering information for the major emergency responders (Police, Fire and Rescue, EMS, and NRE) so that they can provide emergency assistance to the EBCI communities and visitors. During weather-related incidents or man-made disasters, the PSCC is the hub of communication for all EBCI entities (CDOT, Tribal Construction, etc.) and services.
The PSCC maintains a communication link between the Qualla Boundary citizens and the emergency responders of the Tribe and assists in maintaining a cooperative effort amongst the counties containing Tribal lands (Jackson, Swain, Graham, Cherokee, and Haywood) and Great Smoky Mountains National Park/Blue Ridge Parkway, with which mutual aid agreements have been established.
In summary, the PSCC is responsible for gathering accurate information and disseminating it to the correct emergency entity without delay. It is the duty of the PSCC to keep citizens and responders as safe as possible using technology and a sense of urgency.
Staff includes a manager and 12 full-time telecommunicators. All staff must obtain and maintain multiple certifications that combat and satisfy potential liability. The Public Safety Communications Center’s Budget also includes an administrative assistant, who provides support to the Communications Center and 911 operations.
Contact: 828.359.6444
Tribal Construction
The Tribal Construction Program is made up of Outside Contracts, Inventory, Tree Removal, and Special Projects. Outside contracts, Special Projects, and Inventory operate at an actual, negotiated cost prepay system to all Tribal programs, individuals, and private vendors at a reduced rate. Special Projects produces, stockpiles, and hauls stone, and recycles dirt for resale. Tree Removal cuts and removes hazardous trees from homeowners’ properties and Tribal programs. Tribal Construction provides safe domestic water and waste disposal facilities, including installation of wells, well maintenance, septic tanks, drain fields, and water and sewer main lines for enrolled members within the five-county service area: Jackson, Swain, Cherokee, Graham, and Haywood Counties. Tribal Construction has a total of 69 employees: 1 manager, 2 supervisors, 11 crew leaders, 1 well technician, 1 inventory controller, 1 inventory specialist, 1 inventory assistant, 8 truck drivers, 8 heavy equipment operators, 8 pipe layers, 15 permanent utility workers, 2 temporary utility workers, 3 administrative assistants, 1 office assistant, 3 project coordinators, and 3 graphic operators.
Cherokee Department of Transportation (CDOT)
Cherokee Department of Transportation (CDOT) is responsible for constructing and maintaining safe roadways upon the Qualla Boundary. The sustainability of our Tribal transportation program requires stewardship of 300+ road miles and 80+ bridges. CDOT is made up of 22 employees. Those employees oversee roadway maintenance such as grading, snow removal, ditching, culverts, asphalt repair, roadway reconstruction, and other multidepartmental support objectives.
Mission Statement
Building and maintaining roadways to ensure safe and efficient travel throughout the lands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Vision
Provide safe and accessible roadways utilizing internal knowledge continuously redefined by experience and education.
For assistance with roadway issues, please contact CDOT at 828-359-6530/ 828-359-6532.
For assistance with home driveway issues, please contact Infrastructure at 828-359-6841.
Motor Pool
EBCI Motor Pool provides internal support to all Tribal programs by maintaining and repairing all Tribal vehicles and equipment. This assures that all programs can provide support services to all Tribal members within our community. In addition, Motor Pool provides annual state and federal safety inspections. Motor Pool also tracks vehicle mileage and hours for each program to ensure vehicles and equipment receive routine preventative maintenance. This service is provided by the Fleet Coordinator.
Mission
To provide safe and efficient vehicles to all Tribal programs.
Vision
Quick turnaround; A+ service.
For vehicle and heavy equipment maintenance, contact Calloway Ledford Jr. at 828-359-6172.
For Fleet, contact Shane Owle at 828-359-6170.