115 Tennessee Rescue Squads to Receive $5 Million in State Grants

The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance and the State Fire Marshal’s Office announced that 115 rescue squads across the state will receive a combined $5 million in grant funding in 2026 through the Rescue Squad Grant Program.

State leaders say the funding will help squads purchase lifesaving equipment used in emergency response and to improve the safety of rescue personnel.

The program was first funded in 2022 after approval by Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly. Prior to this year’s allocation, $5 million had already been distributed through two grant cycles.

Officials say the 2026 funding marks the largest single allocation in the program’s history.

Rescue squads provide a wide range of emergency services, including vehicle extrication, structural collapse response, and swift water rescue.

During this year’s application period from January 20 through February 20, the State Fire Marshal’s Office received 122 applications. Those applications were reviewed and scored before being submitted to a seven-member committee that selected the final recipients.

The selection committee included members of the Tennessee Rescue Squad Association and the state’s Assistant Commissioner for Fire Prevention.

Some recipients in our area include the City of Lawrenceburg, City of Loretto Fire Department, Henryville Volunteer Fire Department, Columbia Fire & Rescue, Fayetteville Fire Department, and Perry County Rescue Squad.

A full list of grant recipients is available at tn.gov/commerce.