Twenty-Two (22) Public Safety Grants Approved for East Texas
East Texas Council of Governments • October 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.
ETCOG is hosting NIMS ICS 300 and ICS 400 training in August at our Kilgore office. These courses are now required under Texas House Bill 33. Please register as soon as possible. The class must have at least 26 participants, or it may be canceled. Please also forward this opportunity to anyone who may need or be interested in attending. Training Details Course: MGT904 / ICS-300 Dates: August 24–26, 2026 Start Time: August 24 at 8:00 a.m. CST Location: ETCOG 3800 Stone Road Kilgore, Texas 75662 Registration Link: https://my.teex.org/TeexPortal/Default.aspx?MO=mCourseCatalog&D=FP&C=MGT904&S=941 Course: MGT905 / ICS-400 Dates: August 26–27, 2026 Start Time: August 26 at 1:00 p.m. CST Location: ETCOG 3800 Stone Road Kilgore, Texas 75662 Registration Link: https://my.teex.org/TeexPortal/Default.aspx?MO=mCourseCatalog&D=FP&C=MGT905&S=732 Cost All online classes, including the ICS 300/400 classes hosted at ETCOG, are free. Prerequisites Please read this section carefully before registering. The following four prerequisite courses are required: ICS 100 ICS 200 ICS 700 ICS 800 FEMA online training link for prerequisites: Emergency Management Institute - National Incident Management System (NIMS) https://training.fema.gov/nims/ Please bring copies of your prerequisite certificates with you to class, if possible. A screenshot of your certificates is also acceptable. What to Bring Please bring the following items to training: Copies or screenshots of your ICS 100, ICS 200, ICS 700, and ICS 800 certificates A tablet or laptop The participant manual downloaded to your device The participant manual will be available after you complete registration. Registration Assistance If you have trouble registering, please send a screenshot of the issue so we can help troubleshoot. Thank you, and please register as soon as possible to help ensure the class meets the minimum attendance requirement.
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, observed April 12–18, 2026 , honors the dedication, service, and sacrifice of the public safety telecommunicators who answer the call when emergencies happen. Held each year during the second week of April, the observance recognizes the professionals who serve as the critical first point of contact in emergency situations. At ETCOG, we are proud to recognize the telecommunicators who serve communities across our region. Their work requires professionalism, compassion, quick thinking, and a steadfast commitment to public safety. In moments of crisis, they provide calm, skilled support and help connect people to the emergency services they need. In 2025 , telecommunicators in ETCOG’s service area answered more than 174,000 9-1-1 calls and more than 20,000 9-1-1 texts . Behind each of those numbers is a person in need of help and a trained telecommunicator ready to respond. ETCOG supports the region’s dispatch offices through training, equipment upgrades, and management of the regional 9-1-1 system. These efforts help ensure telecommunicators have the tools, technology, and resources needed to serve the public effectively and efficiently. During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we extend our sincere appreciation to the men and women who help keep our communities safe every day. Their work is essential, and their service makes a meaningful difference throughout East Texas.
