Preparedness Grants and Programs

Building resilient communities begins long before a disaster strikes. TEMA’s different preparedness grants and programs offer funding, training, and technical assistance to help Tennessee jurisdictions strengthen their emergency capabilities, reduce risk, and enhance statewide readiness. Together, these resources support a wide range of preparedness activities, including planning, equipment purchases, training and exercises, community outreach, and specialized projects that improve the safety and security of Tennesseans.

This page serves as a central hub for local governments, emergency managers, first responders, and partner organizations seeking information on available preparedness grants and programs. 

Preparedness Grant Programs

Preparedness grants provide funding to help Tennessee jurisdictions strengthen emergency capabilities, reduce risk, and support eligible planning, equipment, training, exercise, and outreach activities. Review the grant opportunities below for information on eligibility, timelines, and application requirements.

The Homeland Security Grant Program supports the development and sustainment of capabilities that help communities prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other hazards. Eligible activities may include planning, equipment purchases, training, exercises, and other initiatives aligned with the Tennessee Homeland Security Strategy.

How to Apply:
Applicants must submit HSGP applications through TEMA’s EM Grants Portal. Guidance, deadlines, and required documentation will be posted in the portal as each funding cycle opens.

Policy for Minimum Radio Requirements for Radios Purchased

This policy establishes the basic radio requirements for public safety radioequipment in the (Low Band) 42 MHz – 50 MHz, (VHF) 150 – 174 MHz, (UHF)450 – 470 MHz, 700 MHz & 800 MHz frequency band when using Homeland Security Grant Program funds to purchase radio equipment.

All radios purchased with Homeland Security Grant Program funding must be programmed with the appropriate Interoperability/Mutual Aid channels as found in the Tennessee Interoperability Guide, Appendix U.

Additional technical specification information can be found in the Tennessee Interoperability Guide, Appendix S.

Analog only Radio Equipment

Low Band radios purchased with Homeland Security Grant Program funds must be FCC type accepted.

VHF / UHF radios purchased using Homeland Security Grant Program funds mustbe FCC type accepted for narrow band.

800 MHz radios purchased using Homeland Security Grant Program funds must be FCC type accepted for usage of the NPSPAC interoperability channels.

Digital Voice Radio Equipment

Any digital radio equipment purchased with Homeland Security Grant Program funds must be FCC type accepted for P25.

Mobile Data Radio Equipment

At this time, there is no published standard for mobile data. If a standard isestablished, this policy will be updated.

This policy is written to provide clarification regarding physical security projects and critical infrastructure as related to the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP).  In 2004, the Governor’s Homeland Security Council made a decision restricting the use of HSGP funds for physical security projects to only those that are directly linked to U.S. Department of Homeland Security recognized Critical Infrastructure.  This policy remains in effect.

Physical security projects may include, but are not limited to, those categories of equipment listed under Section 14 of the Authorized Equipment List (AEL) – Physical Security Enhancement Equipment.  This section includes items such as security cameras, security fencing, alarm systems, and many others.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security recognized Critical Infrastructure is a very specific list of sites within each state which have been determined to have the potential for catastrophic loss of life and/or commerce.  The list includes sites such as chemical and power plants, sports arenas, shopping malls, etc.  To determine if your Homeland Security District has any DHS approved critical infrastructure sites, contact the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security, 615-532-7825.

These are the guidelines regarding equipment tagging and inventory which will be used by the program monitors from the Tennessee Department of Military.

Any agency/jurisdiction receiving grant funds from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the State of Tennessee, must comply with the following:

  1. The Grantee must be able to account for all items purchased with Department of Homeland Security grant funds.
  2. Any piece of equipment must be tagged and inventoried. “Equipment” is defined as any tangible, non-expendable, piece of personal property which has a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit. An inventory control report must be maintained for these items and must include, at a minimum, the following information:
     a. Description of the equipment
    b. Manufacturer’s serial number or other identification number, when applicable
    c. Consecutive inventory equipment tag identification
    d. Acquisition date, cost, and check number
    e. Fund source, State grant number, or other applicable fund sourceidentification
    f. Percentage of state funds applied to the purchase
    g. Location within the Grantee’s operations where the equipment is used
    h. Condition of the property or disposition date if Grantee no longer has possession
    i. Depreciation method, if applicable
    j. Monthly depreciation amount, if applicable
  3. The Grantee must tag equipment with an identification number which is crossreferenced to the equipment item on the inventory control report.
  4. The Grantee must submit a copy of the inventory control report to TEMA within 45 days of the grant contract end date.
  5. When practicable, any equipment purchased with Department of HomelandSecurity grant funding must be prominently marked as follows: “Purchased with funds provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security."

The Emergency Management Performance Grant provides federal funding to assist state and local emergency management agencies in building and maintaining a comprehensive emergency management program. EMPG supports personnel, planning, training, exercises, and capabilities that form the foundation of emergency preparedness.

Offers funding to eligible nonprofit organizations at high risk of terrorist threats. Grants may be used for physical security enhancements, planning, training, and cybersecurity improvements. More information on this grant program can be found on the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website.

Preparedness Programs

Preparedness programs provide support through training, technical assistance, coordination, guidance, and other resources that help communities build and sustain readiness. Explore the programs below to learn about participation requirements, available support, and current opportunities.

Hazard mitigation programs help communities reduce long-term risk and strengthen resilience. While these programs are not strictly preparedness grants, they play a critical role in reducing future disaster impacts and supporting safer communities. More information about each of the available Hazard Mitigation Programs can be found below:

  • Hazard Mitigation Program
  • Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
  • Flood Mitigation Assistance Program
  • Legislative Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) helps communities reduce flood risk through sound floodplain management and provides access to federally backed flood insurance. Learn more about Tennessee's NFIP resources, requirements, and community support.

Grant Writing Resources

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, made available the Grant Training Digital Series. This digital series is an opportunity to brush up on the grant writing process including research, proposal writing, administration, and budgeting.

 

Other State and Federal Preparedness Opportunities

TEMA may administer or coordinate additional preparedness or resilience programs as funding becomes available. Examples include specialized training initiatives, planning grants, and pilot projects that support statewide preparedness goals.