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The Carter County Emergency and Rescue Squad is among 104 Tennessee rescue squads receiving grants totaling $3 million in 2024 through the Rescue Squad Grant Program made through the TN Department of Commerce & Insurance and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office.

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 purchase equipment for incident response and to protect the lives of squad members. In 2023, the program provided $2 million in grants to applicants.

“It’s an honor to provide resources to Tennessee’s rescue squads and help fulfill Governor Lee’s vision of strengthening Tennessee’s rural communities,” said Tennessee State Fire Marshal and TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. “I am proud that our team is supporting Tennessee rescue squads so that they may continue protecting lives and property.”

Tennessee rescue squads 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 Gary Farley. “I want to congratulate all of the grant recipients, and I wish them safety and success in the years ahead.”

During the application period (Jan. 8 – Feb. 8, 2024), the SFMO received 126 applications from Tennessee rescue squads. Applications were scored internally and submitted to a seven-member committee who oversaw the award selection. The committee was composed of six members from the Tennessee Rescue Squad Association and TDCI’s Assistant Commissioner of Fire Prevention.

In addition to the Carter County Rescue Squad, other rescue squads in the area receiving the grants were the Bluff City Rescue Squad, Church Hill Rescue Squad, Johnson County EMS and Ambulance Service, Hancock County Rescue Squad, Greeneville Emergency and Rescue Squad, Kingsport Lifesaving Crew Inc., Hawkins County Rescue Squad, Morristown Emergency & Rescue Squad, Unicoi County Emergency Management, Unicoi County Search and Rescue, and Unicoi Volunteer Fire Department.