Area paramedics and firefighters will have a new tool to help the community. Terry Cunningham with Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services tells NewsRadio WGNS they'll be carrying 2-1-1 information cards. What is 2-1-1? It's a free, 24-7 telephone information and referral services. They match callers with social services and even volunteer and donation opportunities. Cunningham says a lot of the 9-1-1 calls are for things that really aren't considered an emergency...

If it's not a life-threatening emergency, Cunningham suggests calling 2-1-1. The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties reports for the year between July 2013 and June 2014, 5,668 calls were made locally to 2-1-1.

HEAR THE ENTIRE RUTHERFORD ISSUES PROGRAM WITH TERRY CUNNINGHAM TALKING ABOUT 2-1-1...