Tenn. awards $5 million in rescue squad grants to 115 agencies
The state will send grant funding to rescue squads and fire departments, including agencies in Bristol, Piney Flats, Johnson City and Kingsport, to help buy equipment
Members of the Kingsport Lifesaving Crew train on new rope rescue equipment.
Kingsport Lifesaving Crew/Facebook
By Robert Sorrell
Bristol Herald Courier
BRISTOL, Tenn. — Several local rescue squads and fire departments in Tennessee will receive grant funding through the Rescue Squad Grant Program.
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office announced Thursday that
115 agencies
will receive grants totaling $5 million in 2026. Local agencies to receive the grants include the Bristol Tennessee Fire Department, Piney Flats Volunteer Fire Department, Johnson City Fire Department and the Kingsport Lifesaving and First Aid Crew.
In 2022, Governor Bill Lee and the General Assembly approved funding for the program to purchase lifesaving equipment for Tennessee rescue squads, according to the state’s press release. Grant awards may be used to purchase equipment for incident response and to protect the lives of squad members. Through two grant cycles, $5 million in grant funding has previously been provided to rescue squads.
“It is an honor to provide resources to Tennessee’s rescue squads and help fulfill Governor Lee’s vision of strengthening Tennessee’s rural communities,” said TDCI Commissioner and Tennessee State Fire Marshal Carter Lawrence. “I am proud that our team is supporting the mission of these critical organizations so that they may continue protecting lives and property.”
Rescue squads across the state provide a range of specialized services, including extrication, structural collapse response, and swift water rescue.
“Tennessee rescue squads provide valuable lifesaving services in their communities, and it is crucial that they have the equipment they need to safely complete their missions,” said Assistant Commissioner for Fire Prevention Mike Bell. “I want to congratulate all of the grant recipients, and I wish them safety and success in the years ahead.”
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