Blog Post

Recognizing East Texas Telecommunicators During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

ETCOG Public Safety • April 6, 2022

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week — April 10 through 16

female dispatcher wearing headset looking at computer map

ETCOG, in its capacity as the primary planning and coordinating entity for Emergency 9-1-1 Communications in East Texas, will honor the region's more than 140 emergency telecommunicators during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week — April 10 through 16 — and encourages local jurisdictions to participate in recognizing the services and dedication of those answering 9-1-1 calls.

 

In Texas, public safety telecommunicators act as our "unseen first responders," serving our communities and helping save lives every day. Texas Governor Greg Abbott also proclaimed the week as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week to recognize their contributions as first responders.

 

“ETCOG would like to acknowledge all Public Safety Telecommunicators. You are the first line of defense at the beginning of an incident, serve to protect life and property, and help maintain calm during uncertainty. Thank you for your invaluable service,” said ETCOG’s Director of Public Safety Stephanie Heffner.

 

In the ETCOG region, emergency telecommunicators answer nearly 211,000 calls and 4,205 texts a year. To celebrate, ETCOG will distribute gift bags to our regional telecommunicators throughout the month.

 

Learn about the ETCOG 9-1-1 planning and emergency services here. 

A police officer is holding a microphone in his pocket.

Homeland Security, Criminal Justice Grant Funding Available for East Texas Public Safety Projects

By East Texas Council of Governments • December 19, 2024
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 .
A woman in a police uniform is standing in a park.

$3.4M in Public Safety Grants Approved for East Texas Region

By ETCOG Public Safety • December 17, 2024
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.
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