Tennessee Fire Marshal’s Office Announces $3 Million Grant Program for Tennessee Rescue Squads
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) proudly announce that applications will be accepted starting Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, from rescue squads for $3 million in grant funding through the Rescue Squad Grant Program.
In 2022, Governor Bill Lee and the General Assembly approved the funding of this program for the purchase of lifesaving equipment by Tennessee rescue squads. Grant awards may be used to buy equipment for incident response and to protect the lives of squad members. Through two grant cycles, the program provided $5 million in grants to applicants.
“Fulfilling Governor Lee’s vision of strengthening Tennessee’s rural communities is a crucial part of our mission to protect Tennesseans and empower professionals,” said Tennessee State Fire Marshal and TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. “This valuable program will help provide critical resources to Tennessee’s rescue squads so that they might better serve their communities.”
“This program gives the brave men and women who serve on Tennessee’s rescue squads the reliable and effective equipment they need to serve their communities,” said Assistant Commissioner for Fire Prevention Mike Bell.
Eligible rescue squads must have an active registration with the Tennessee Secretary of State and provide a letter stating they are recognized by the local government to provide rescue squad services. There are over 90 rescue squads across Tennessee that provide a range of specialized services including extrication, structural collapse response, and swift water rescue.
Applications received during the submission period will be scored internally and submitted to a seven-member committee who will oversee the award selection. The committee is composed of six members from the Tennessee Rescue Squad Association and TDCI’s Assistant Commissioner of Fire Prevention.
Applicants should remember the following important dates:
- An informational webinar for applicants will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. CT.
- The SFMO will provide grant assistance to applicants through Friday, Feb. 14 at 4 p.m. CT.
- Deadline for applications is Friday, Feb. 21 at 12 p.m. CT.
- Grant awards will be announced Friday, March 28 at 2 p.m. CT.
Applicants with questions about the grant application process should contact Fire Prevention Programs and Policy Director Marybeth Gribble at (615) 574-9437 or by email at marybeth.gribble@tn.gov for more information.
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