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A total of 13 Lakeway Area first responder agencies are part of 115 rescue units in Tennessee to receive parts of grants totaling $5 million in 2026 through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office through the Rescue Squad Grant Program.

Lakeway Area first responders receiving grants include Morristown Rescue Squad, Bean Station Volunteer Rescue Squad, Chestnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department, Church Hill Rescue Squad, Jefferson City Fire Department, Grainger County Rescue Squad and Crewettes, Greeneville Emergency and Rescue Squad, Hawkins County Rescue Squad, Jefferson County Rescue Squad, Newport Rescue Squad, Saint James VFD, Greeneville Fire Department and Town of Mount Carmel Fire Department.

In 2022, Gov. Bill Lee and the General Assembly approved funding for this program to purchase lifesaving equipment for Tennessee rescue squads. 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.

The $5 million allocation for 2026 is the Rescue Squad Grant Program’s single-largest to date.

“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.”

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 Mike Bell. “I want to congratulate all of the grant recipients, and I wish them safety and success in the years ahead.”

During this year’s application period from January 20 to February 20, the SFMO received 122 applications from Tennessee rescue squads. Applications were scored internally and submitted to a seven-member committee that 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.