The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office have announced the commencement of the application process for a $10 million grant program aimed at volunteer firefighter departments. Applications will be accepted beginning on November 1, 2024. This initiative, known as the Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program, was established in 2019 to provide funding for firefighting equipment and training. Since its inception in 2020, the program has distributed $16.5 million to various Tennessee fire departments.
Carter Lawrence, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal and TDCI Commissioner, emphasized the importance of supporting volunteer firefighters by providing necessary equipment and training. He encouraged volunteer fire chiefs across the state to apply for the grant. TDCI Assistant Commissioner of Fire Prevention, Mike Bell, highlighted the courage required by volunteer firefighters and the critical role this grant program plays in equipping them.
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The application window will close on November 27, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. CT. Eligible applicants must hold a valid recognition from the SFMO and have less than 50% of their staff as full-time career firefighters. Applications will be reviewed and scored internally before being evaluated by a seven-member committee comprising representatives from the Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association, the Tennessee Firemen’s Association, and TDCI’s Assistant Commissioner of Fire Prevention. The awards will be distributed equally among Tennessee’s Grand Divisions.
Interested departments can apply through the SFMO’s grant application website. Users with existing credentials can log in with their previous information. For assistance or inquiries, applicants may contact Michelle Price, Director of Education and Outreach, via email at sfmo.grants@tn.gov. An application webinar for Volunteer Fire Departments (VFDs) is scheduled for November 4, 2024.
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Tennessee CAREs Provides Jobs for Hurricane Recovery
The Tennessee Community Assistance for Recovery Employment (CAREs) funding, supported by the National Dislocated Worker Grant, offers temporary job opportunities for East Tennessee residents affected by Hurricane Helene. This initiative, led by the First Tennessee Development District and the East Tennessee Human Resource Agency, provides part-time jobs with a $25 hourly wage for storm recovery efforts, such as debris clearance and infrastructure restoration, in several counties. Eligible residents can find more information and apply here.