In keeping with a recent theme of proactive public safety measures, Tennessee Tuesday announced that it will provide $5 million in grants to volunteer firefighting brigades across the state.
Through what is called the Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) are inviting local volunteer firefighting organizations to apply for the grants, according to a release.
The application period began Tuesday.
According to the release, the grant money will be used to “purchase equipment (other than fire trucks or vehicles) used by firefighters to extinguish fires and protect the lives of firefighters” and “help fire departments pay or reimburse the cost share for federal grants that have already been awarded.”
The program launched in 2020, and has distributed $1.5 million across more than 100 volunteer firefighting groups since its inception.
“As we have seen in our outreach visits across all 95 Tennessee counties during the past three years, the men and women of the Tennessee fire service have no lack of bravery or courage, but in some cases, they have a pressing need to replace outdated firefighting equipment,” said Tennessee State Fire Marshal and TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. “This program will help provide resources to Tennessee’s volunteer firefighters while fulfilling Governor Lee’s vision of strengthening Tennessee’s rural communities.”
Recently, public safety has been a top-of-mind issue for Tennessee’s state government.
In mid-October, Governor Bill Lee (R) announced a $10 million Violent Crime Intervention Fund.
“As Americans face rising crime nationwide, TN is launching the $100 million Violent Crime Intervention Fund to equip local law enforcement with tools to keep every community safe,” he said at the time. “I invite all TN police departments & sheriff’s offices to apply today.”
Unprecedented times call for unprecedented support. Every Tennessean deserves to feel safe in their community, & through this fund, local law enforcement agencies across TN can access the Proven Crime Prevention resources needed to deliver that quality of life.
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) October 11, 2022
“Unprecedented times call for unprecedented support. Every Tennessean deserves to feel safe in their community, & through this fund, local law enforcement agencies across TN can access the Proven Crime Prevention resources needed to deliver that quality of life,” Lee tweeted.
Eligible uses for that funding include “evidence-based crime intervention models, hiring and training of specialized violent crime units, purchase and application of technology and equipment, and law enforcement-led partnerships with community organizations to disrupt and prevent violent crime.”
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Amazing amount of “free’ money being doled out under Little Billy Lee. How about ending taxes on groceries so everyone can take part in the “free” money?