Blog Post

Coronavirus Relief Funding for Local Jurisdictions Through the CARES Act

Texas Division of Emergency Management • May 19, 2020

Coronavirus Relief Fund

On Monday, May 11, 2020, Governor Abbott announced $5.06 billion in Federal funding for local jurisdictions through the CARES Act. Of the $5.06 billion, the U.S. Department of the Treasury directly sent $3.2 billion to 6 cities and 12 counties in Texas with a population greater than 500,000. The remaining $1.85 billion will be available to other cities and counties throughout the state. Funding will go towards reimbursement of direct expenses incurred by cities and counties due to COVID-19.

The 242 counties and cities within those counties that did not receive direct allocations from the Treasury are eligible to apply to the state for a $55 per capita allocation from the $1.85 billion. The allocation table is available on the TDEM website at TDEM.Texas.gov/crf. Upon execution of a grant agreement, governments will be able to immediately draw down 20% of their allocation. After documentation is provided on the initial 20% allocation, the remaining 80% will be available on a reimbursement basis.

For information on applying for the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), please visit the TDEM website at https://tdem.texas.gov/crf. There you will find guidance on eligible costs, the CRF application process, and CRF frequently asked questions. You will also find a link to the Governor’s notification letter and a link to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. 

If you are unable to locate a response on the TDEM website regarding CRF, please send your question to the CRF mailbox at CRF@TDEM.TEXAS.GOV and cc, Andrea Lowe and Josh Roberts for situational awareness.

Responses to questions are sent as an email reply and are also included in the CRF FAQ on the TDEM website; see link here: Coronavirus Relief Fund Frequently Asked Questions. FAQs are still being updated so the most recent questions submitted to the mailbox may not appear on the FAQ


Large black and white trailer used for emergency management

Regional Exercise to Test Interoperability Communications Among First Responders in East Texas

By East Texas Council of Governments • 30 Apr, 2024
Texas first responders are gearing up for a communication training that will address communications interoperability during emergencies. Coordinated by the East Texas Council of Governments and the Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Division of Emergency Management, this workshop marks a collaborative effort to bolster emergency communication systems and emphasize the importance of seamless communications in crisis situations. Over three days, from May 17th to May 19th, participants from various sectors will engage in radio communication tests, workshops on technological advancements, and discussion on the future of emergency communications. The exercise will kick off at the Tyler Junior College West Campus before transitioning to operational platforms for real-world testing. Interested participants are encouraged to register for the event at www.preparingtexas.org and search for “Regional Communications” in the main search bar to join the collective effort to enhance public safety communication across Texas and the East Texas region.
female dispatcher looking at 911 address map

ETCOG Adds Cherokee County to 911 Addressing Program

By East Texas Council of Governments • 03 Jan, 2024
The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) has extended its 9-1-1 addressing program to Cherokee County, enhancing emergency response capabilities for the region.
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