Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell has appointed a nine-member commission to review the city's response to Winter Storm Fern, tapping former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen to chair the panel. The commission includes Metro Vice Mayor Angie Henderson, Council President Pro Tem Delishia Porterfield, and other local leaders with expertise in emergency management, utilities, and communications.

The selection comes after widespread criticism of Nashville Electric Service's handling of the unprecedented ice storm that left thousands without power for days. Bredesen, who previously served as Nashville mayor and Tennessee governor, emphasized the importance of learning from the crisis. The panel's first meeting is scheduled for February 23 at the Howard Office Building.

O'Connell announced the commission on February 2 as the city continued grappling with power outages affecting thousands of residents. The mayor has faced mounting pressure from Metro Council members and state Republican leaders to improve communication and coordination during the crisis. The review panel aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the city's storm response and identify areas for improvement in future emergency situations.