Blog Post

ETCOG Receives $45K in Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding

East Texas Council of Governments • Oct 07, 2021

GoBus Partners to Provide Transport of Vaccination Supplies and Health Care Workers 

We are pleased to announce that our Public Safety division successfully submitted a grant application through the Governor's Office for Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding. The approved grant will reimburse ETCOG $45,021.48 for COVID-19 expenses incurred through a vaccination clinic support partnership.  

In May 2021, ETCOG's public transit system, GoBus, began transporting vaccination supplies and staff members to five counties in our region. GoBus partnered with the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) to transport COVID-19 vaccines and trained nursing staff to rural areas of East Texas to reach communities affected by the coronavirus. The staff offered transport six days each week to Van Zandt, Anderson, Henderson, Rains, and Wood counties from the NET Health headquarters in Tyler and returned staff each evening. By doing this, NET Health nursing staff provided vital information, protective gear, and vaccinations to the vulnerable populations of these rural communities. 

ETCOG is proud to partner with NET Health and aid in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in East Texas.
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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