News, Events & Announcements

State agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, universities or colleges, and federally recognized Native American tribes can soon apply for FY 2026 grant funds from the Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office , State Homeland Security Grant Program and Criminal Justice division. New and continuing applicants in ETCOG’s fourteen (14) county region are invited to attend FREE grant application workshops hosted by the ETCOG Public Safety division . Workshops for each grant category to be held virtually from December 18, 2024, through February 13, 2025. Grant funding will be available for the following programs: Homeland Security State Homeland Security Program – Regular Projects (SHSP-R) Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities (LETPA) Criminal Justice General Victim Assistance Direct Services Program (VOCA) Violence Against Women Justice and Training Program (VAWA) Juvenile Justice & Truancy Prevention Grant Program (SF-JJTP) Criminal Justice Program (DJ-JAG) “The goal is to improve public safety, support victims of crime, and assist jurisdictions by filling gaps in the region via funding that promotes innovative solutions to regional problems,” said ETCOG’s Public Safety Director, Stephanie Heffner. “We help applicants understand what needs to go into their grant applications and what they have to track once they receive funding from the state so we can successfully bring public safety projects to East Texas.” Workshops for Homeland Security will be held on the following dates: Wednesday, December 18, 2024 - 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 1, 2025 - 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 15, 2025 - 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 29, 2025 - 10:00 AM Wednesday, February 5, 2025 - 10:00 AM Workshops for Criminal Justice will be held on the following dates: Monday, January 7, 2025 - 2:00 PM Wednesday, January 15, 2025 - 10:00 AM Thursday, January 23, 2025 - 2:30 PM Wednesday, January 29, 2025 - 2:00 PM Workshops are mandatory if you plan to apply for funding. To participate in a virtual workshop for Homeland Security, visit www.pineywoods911.com/homeland-security . To participate in a virtual workshop for Criminal Justice, visit www.pineywoods911.com/criminal-justice .

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) announces $3.4 million in grants from the Governor's Public Safety Office awarded to East Texas jurisdictions and nonprofits.

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is proud to announce the approval of $1.75 million in grants awarded to East Texas jurisdictions. These grants aim to enhance public safety by addressing critical emergency radio infrastructure needs.

In the wake of recent storms, restoring essential services is paramount. Communication lines are a lifeline for our community, connecting us to emergency services, loved ones, and vital information. These lines are often buried underground, making them vulnerable to damage from digging.

Texas first responders are gearing up for a communication training that will address communications interoperability during emergencies. Coordinated by the East Texas Council of Governments and the Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Division of Emergency Management, this workshop marks a collaborative effort to bolster emergency communication systems and emphasize the importance of seamless communications in crisis situations. Over three days, from May 17th to May 19th, participants from various sectors will engage in radio communication tests, workshops on technological advancements, and discussion on the future of emergency communications. The exercise will kick off at the Tyler Junior College West Campus before transitioning to operational platforms for real-world testing. Interested participants are encouraged to register for the event at www.preparingtexas.org and search for “Regional Communications” in the main search bar to join the collective effort to enhance public safety communication across Texas and the East Texas region.

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) has extended its 9-1-1 addressing program to Cherokee County, enhancing emergency response capabilities for the region.

State agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, universities or colleges, and federally recognized Native American tribes can soon apply for FY 2025 grant funds from the Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office , State Homeland Security Grant Program and Criminal Justice division. New and continuing applicants in ETCOG’s fourteen (14) county region are invited to attend FREE grant application workshops hosted by the ETCOG Public Safety division . There will be five workshops for each grant category to be held virtually from December 14, 2023, through January 29, 2024. Grant funding will be available for the following programs: Homeland Security State Homeland Security Program – Regular Projects (SHSP-R) Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities (LETPA) Criminal Justice General Victim Assistance Direct Services Program (VOCA) Violence Against Women Justice and Training Program (VAWA) Juvenile Justice & Truancy Prevention Grant Program (SF-JJTP) Criminal Justice Program (DJ-JAG) Residential & Community-Based Services for Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) “The goal is to improve public safety, support victims of crime, and assist jurisdictions by filling gaps in the region via funding that promotes innovative solutions to regional problems,” said ETCOG’s Public Safety Director, Stephanie Heffner. “We help applicants understand what needs to go into their grant applications and what they have to track once they receive funding from the state so we can successfully bring public safety projects to East Texas.” Workshops for Homeland Security will be held on the following dates: Thursday, 12/28/23 - 10:00 to 11:15 AM Thursday, 01/04/24 - 10:00 to 11:15 AM Thursday, 01/11/24 - 10:00 to 11:15 AM Thursday, 01/18/24 - 10:00 to 11:15 AM Thursday, 01/25/24 - 10:00 to 11:15 AM Workshops for Criminal Justice will be held on the following dates: Thursday, 12/14/23 – 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, 12/19/22 – 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, 01/10/24 – 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, 01/16/24 – 2:00 p.m. Monday 01/29/24 – 10:00 a.m. Workshops are mandatory if you plan to apply for funding. To participate in a virtual workshop for Homeland Security, visit www.pineywoods911.com/homeland-security . To participate in a virtual workshop for Criminal Justice, visit www.pineywoods911.com/criminal-justice .

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is proud to announce the expansion of its 911 addressing program to include Harrison County. ETCOG is the region's primary planning and coordinating entity for emergency 911 communications in the region. A 911 Address is the address used to send to Fire / Police / other Emergency Services teams when a 911 call is placed. It is a requirement to provide an accurate address to ensure a timely response in case of an emergency.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods a safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. If you don't see your event, email our Director of Communications, Lindsay Vanderbilt . Anderson County Palestine Neighborhood parties | various locations | various times Register your party here Cherokee County Bullard Bullard City Hall | 6-8 p.m. This event is an opportunity to meet and show support the Bullard Police Department, Bullard Volunteer Fire Department, EMS, local DPS Officers, and other local law enforcement officials. Meet local first responders, enjoy free food, fellowship with the community, fun kid activities, plus so much more! Jacksonville Downtown Enjoy bounce houses, slides, games, prizes, and more. Gregg County Longview Neighborhood parties | various locations | various times Register your party here Smith County Tyler Neighborhood parties | various locations | 5-9 p.m. Register your party here