Blog Post

Twenty-Two (22) Public Safety Grants Approved for East Texas

East Texas Council of Governments • Oct 29, 2020

$2.5M in Homeland Security Grants Aim to Improve Safety in Region

ETCOG announces $2.5 million in grants from the Office of the Governor’s (OOG) Homeland Security Grants Division awarded to East Texas jurisdictions to prevent terrorism and improve security. This funding from the OOG assists Texas jurisdictions in building, sustaining, and delivering core capabilities to further the National Preparedness Goal which is, “A secure and resilient Nation with the capabilities required across the whole community to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk.”

ETCOG’s Public Safety Division assists jurisdictions to apply for these funds annually, and applications to be submitted for funding are ranked and scored by the ETCOG Homeland Security Advisory Committee, which is comprised of local Emergency Management Coordinators and first responders from across the region.

The following State Homeland Security Program and Statewide Emergency Radio Infrastructure grants were approved last week by the OOG for funding:

State Homeland Security Program – 1-year projects $485,655.51
Grant period runs 9/1/2020 - 8/31/2021

Statewide Emergency Radio Infrastructure – 2-year projects - $2,100,000.00

Grant period runs 9/1/2020 - 8/31/2022

These grants will be allocated to ETCOG from the OOG to be passed through to the local jurisdictions. 


“Statewide Emergency Radio Infrastructure grant awards, for the ETCOG region, are extremely important. Our local jurisdictions are receiving funding for large ticket items like towers and radio systems that are very expensive. These grants will help our jurisdictions significantly,” said ETCOG’s Public Safety Director, Stephanie Heffner.


For more information, contact ETCOG’s Director of Public Safety, Stephanie Heffner, at 903.218.6461.


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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